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News and Blog Articles
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The kind of work we do here at Classic City Arborists varies from job to job, and includes everything from pruning to cutting down trees to cabling. Even so, we’ve gotten a lot of similar questions from customers and potential customers over the years—that’s why today, we’ve decided to round them all up and answer them! How Do Free Estimates Work? One of the services we are proud to offer is free estimates. This basically means that our certified arborist, Scott Rushing, will come out to your property to get a look at whatever it is you’re wanting done—whether that’s pruning back some undergrowth, trimming a few limbs away from your home, or cutting down a tree altogether. Scott will assess the situation and offer his professional advice. After the appointment, you will receive an estimate that details the work you and Scott discussed.
What’s the Difference Between a Free Estimate |
How Do I Accept the Estimate? To accept an estimate, you can:
“I accept the estimate [list your estimate’s number], and would like to be added to the work calendar.” Your estimate’s number can be found in the Customer Center or in the emailed estimate. I’ve Accepted the Estimate. |  |
Once you’ve accepted your estimate, you will be added to the next available date on our work calendar. Every week, we’ll send you an email with a tentative 2-week window for your work to be completed. Once the week of your work arrives, we’ll contact you to schedule a specific date and time.
Please keep in mind that these dates are only tentative, and are subject to change due to emergency jobs, inclement weather, and other delays.
Please keep in mind that these dates are only tentative, and are subject to change due to emergency jobs, inclement weather, and other delays.
Do I Need to Be Present When You Do the Work?
If you would like to be home to monitor our progress (or just see how cutting down a tree works!), you are more than welcome to stay and watch us go. Some customers like to arrive towards the end of the job so they can make sure everything looks good before we leave. However, you do not need to be there for us to work. We will follow everything as stated in the estimate and let you know when we’ve finished. We are always available by phone or email if you have any questions or concerns after a job has been completed.
Do I Have to Make a Down Payment?
We do not require down payments to schedule you on our work calendar. On the day of your work, you will be emailed an invoice that will be due in full that same day. Most customers wait until the job is done and then pay via cash or check in person, but you can also follow the link on your invoice to pay online. Late fees will be charged if payment is not received within 24 hours of the completion date.
How Do I Pay?
We accept payment via cash or check handed to a team member on the day of the work, or payment online through a link on your emailed invoice.
Do You Offer Discounts for Paying with Cash?
Unfortunately, we do not offer discounts for cash payments. Please note, however, that there is a 3.6% charge for online payments made with a credit or debit card. It is more cost-effective to either pay with cash or check in person, or pay online with an e-check to avoid any fees.
Will the Equipment You Use Mess Up My Yard?
All of our equipment is outfitted with large tracks rather than individual tires to minimize any wear or gouges on the ground.
| In some instances, we will set up plywood platforms to drive over to prevent damaging soft ground or sod. Our philosophy at Classic City Arborists is and always has been to “leave it better than we found it.” Our goal when we finish a job is to make sure you can’t even tell we were there, other than the now-missing tree, or now-cleared underbrush! |  Before |  After |
Are You Insured?
Classic City Arborists is proud to be both licensed and insured. We maintain Worker’s Compensation, General Liability Insurance, and Auto Insurance to protect our customers, our employees, and our company from any incident.
How Do I Get a COI (Certificate of Insurance)?
If you would like a copy of our Certificate of Insurance, send us an email at classiccityarborists@gmail.com and we’ll be sure to get you one!
What Does “Disclose Underground Utilities” Mean?
This addition is to remind customers that we have no way of knowing what’s underground in your yard, unless we are otherwise informed. Mostly, this is in reference to septic tanks. Our heavy equipment can damage a shallowly-concealed septic tank, as could a tree falling on it. If you have a septic tank, please let us know its location so we can plan our work accordingly to reduce the chance for damage.
If you know you have a septic tank, but don’t know where it is, follow these suggestions to find it.
If you know you have a septic tank, but don’t know where it is, follow these suggestions to find it.
My Estimate Says “Power Lines Need to be Dropped.”
What Does That Mean?
If this is on your estimate, it means one or more of the trees we are going to work on are in close proximity to power lines. We can’t touch those trees unless the power lines are “dropped.” Basically, this means detaching the power lines from one pole or another and lying them on the ground so they do not hang near the trees in question.
For you, this means you will need to contact your power company prior to the date your work is scheduled to request they drop the lines first thing in the morning. We will remind you of this when we call the week prior to your job to confirm the date and time. On the day of the job, we will start with the interfering trees first, and let you know as soon as we’ve finished with them so you can contact your power company and have the lines reinstated.
It’s important to note that dropping the power lines will temporarily cut electricity to your home. We will remind you of this both the week before and the day of, but please plan accordingly!
For you, this means you will need to contact your power company prior to the date your work is scheduled to request they drop the lines first thing in the morning. We will remind you of this when we call the week prior to your job to confirm the date and time. On the day of the job, we will start with the interfering trees first, and let you know as soon as we’ve finished with them so you can contact your power company and have the lines reinstated.
It’s important to note that dropping the power lines will temporarily cut electricity to your home. We will remind you of this both the week before and the day of, but please plan accordingly!
Where Can I Read Reviews, or Leave a Review?
Small and local businesses like ours thrive on customer reviews! If you’d like to read what other customers are saying about us, check out the reviews on our website, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau. Following these links will also allow you to leave a review yourself!
If you have any trouble leaving a review, feel free to email us your review at classiccityarborists@gmail.com, and we can post it for you.
If you have any trouble leaving a review, feel free to email us your review at classiccityarborists@gmail.com, and we can post it for you.
Have A Question We Didn’t Answer?
If you’re still unsure about anything we explained here, or have questions not answered here, feel free to give us a call or send us an email at classiccityarborists@gmail.com!
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.
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August’s Tree of the Month is Acer rubrum, or the Red Maple tree (or the swamp maple, water maple, and even soft maple). Their colloquial name comes from their stunning fall color display, which usually features brilliant scarlet leaves, but can also include oranges, yellows, and yellow-greens. Whether you know it or not, you probably see one of these every single day; the red maple is recognized by the US Forest Service as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. In fact, they have the greatest north-south range of any tree species living entirely in eastern forests, and can be found from southern Florida all the way to Newfoundland!
Did You Know?The largest known Red Maple resides in Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1997, the National Register of Big Trees declared it a champion at 141 feet tall, with a 7-foot-wide trunk!
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One of the reasons for their wide-spread population is their vast environmental tolerance. Red maples are happy in any kind of soil, be it acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, or even clay. This means they do just fine in all the Georgia red clay we have around here, and also allows them to grow in marshes and swamps. They have just enough drought tolerance to get them through the occasional dry spell, but also don’t mind the rainy seasons. They can be happy in partial shade, but flourish best with at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, giving them a distinct advantage in the Southeast.
No matter their surroundings, red maples are considered one of the faster-growing species of tree, and can clock height increases of anywhere from 13 inches to over 24 inches per year until maturity. Fully grown, they can reach heights of over 60 feet, with crown spreads over 45 feet. One of the tallest red maples recorded actually stretches over 100 feet into the sky. While they are known (and named) for their beautiful fall color displays, red maples actually have vibrant green leaves most of the year; these leaves grow around 2 to 6 inches in length and have 3 or 5 irregularly-toothed lobes. |
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You’ve probably seen the likeness of the red maple leaf on merchandise relating to Canada, as the red maple leaf is on their flag!
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But their leaves aren’t their only hallmark; younger trees will have smooth, silvery-grey bark that makes a great winter attraction when all the branches are bare. As the tree matures, the bark will retain the silver-grey coloring but will begin to crack and fissure, creating a mottled, signature bark look.
| From mid-winter to early spring, red maples will sprout small clusters of flowers. These can range from muted reds to warm yellows in color. Female tree flowers will also develop small, coupled fruits called samaras. The fruits are fairly small in size and feature wide, wing-like structures, and will eventually dry and fall; you probably remember picking these dried seeds off the sidewalk and dropping them to watch as they twirl to the ground. | |
Red maples make great shade trees, and are relatively low-maintenance, which has led to high propagation rates in urban areas. Unfortunately, many planters are not aware of how close to the surface a red maple’s root system grows. This can lead to either accidental root trauma that damages the tree’s structural integrity and may lead to tree failure, or to the disturbance of sidewalks and other structures within the roots’ reach.
Did You Know?
The red maple tree is the state tree of Rhode Island. It was chosen in the 1890s by a group of students who voted for their favorite candidate - possibly due to the name alone. The Rhode in Rhode Island comes from the Dutch word for "red!" |
Red maple root systems are also incredibly dense and fibrous, and they will easily overwhelm nearby flora by leaching soil nutrients and soaking up available water. So, if you’re considering adding one of these gorgeous trees to your property, be sure to account for the roots!
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any signs of damage or decay; red maple branches are rated at medium-weak strength, meaning they are susceptible to broken limbs from inclement weather or human interaction. While red maples are fairly disease- and pest-resistant, exposed wounds like this can lead to infection and infestation if not properly cared for; if you think your red maple may be afflicted, feel free to call us and schedule a free estimate!
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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
Red Maple – Arbor Day Foundation
Acer Rubrum
Pros & Cons of Red Maple Trees
Image Sources
Red Maple Tree: Care of Red Maple Trees: How To Grow A Red Maple Tree
Leaf: National Wildlife Federation: Red Maple
Full Tree: After Planting A Red Maple Tree
Seeds: Acer rubrum – Red Maple
Seedpod: Seedpod Autorotates
Canada Flag: The National Flag of Canada
Rhode Island Stamp: Rhode Island
Smooth Bark: Smooth Maple Tree Bark
Cracked Bark: Red Maple, Bark and Trunk
Fall: Variation in Fall Color: Red Maple
Roots: Ask An Expert: Red Maple
Flowers: Red Maples Female, and Red Maples Male
Flowers 2: Red Maples Female, and Red Maples Male
Red Maple – Arbor Day Foundation
Acer Rubrum
Pros & Cons of Red Maple Trees
Image Sources
Red Maple Tree: Care of Red Maple Trees: How To Grow A Red Maple Tree
Leaf: National Wildlife Federation: Red Maple
Full Tree: After Planting A Red Maple Tree
Seeds: Acer rubrum – Red Maple
Seedpod: Seedpod Autorotates
Canada Flag: The National Flag of Canada
Rhode Island Stamp: Rhode Island
Smooth Bark: Smooth Maple Tree Bark
Cracked Bark: Red Maple, Bark and Trunk
Fall: Variation in Fall Color: Red Maple
Roots: Ask An Expert: Red Maple
Flowers: Red Maples Female, and Red Maples Male
Flowers 2: Red Maples Female, and Red Maples Male
Welcome back, UGA students! The Fall semester is upon us, and it’s time to settle back into your dorms, apartments, and houses. You’ve probably heard of the benefits of keeping plants inside, both for the air you breathe and your state of mind—and with exams and homework and extracurricular activities rearing to pile up, having a plant in your house might just be the de-stressor you need!
We know not all of you have the luxury of a backyard where you can keep a garden to plant some of the flowers or herbs we’ve listed in other articles (like which plants to grow to attract pollinators, or keep pests away, or plants you can start late in the fall). But just because you can’t plant things outside in the ground doesn’t mean you can’t plant things inside, in a pot! We’ve compiled a list of plants that will thrive in pots indoors to help make your house a home.
And before you worry—every plant on this list is low-maintenance and easy to care for, so you can keep your focus on getting to class, doing your homework, and spending time with your friends. There were dozens to choose from, so we picked our favorite 10; follow the links at the end of the article to read about more species perfect for apartment living!
We know not all of you have the luxury of a backyard where you can keep a garden to plant some of the flowers or herbs we’ve listed in other articles (like which plants to grow to attract pollinators, or keep pests away, or plants you can start late in the fall). But just because you can’t plant things outside in the ground doesn’t mean you can’t plant things inside, in a pot! We’ve compiled a list of plants that will thrive in pots indoors to help make your house a home.
And before you worry—every plant on this list is low-maintenance and easy to care for, so you can keep your focus on getting to class, doing your homework, and spending time with your friends. There were dozens to choose from, so we picked our favorite 10; follow the links at the end of the article to read about more species perfect for apartment living!
Devil’s Ivy
 | This vine with the spooky name is also known as pothos, and is so good at growing inside, lots of people call it the cubicle plant. You can grow it in dirt if you want, or in a vase with just water. It grows pretty quickly, and you can cut off longer vines and stick them in their own vase of water to make more pothos! They’re fine with the shade of being inside and only need to be watered maybe once a month, when their dirt is officially bone-dry (assuming, of course, you’re growing them in dirt. If it’s in a vase with water, you can quite literally just forget about it!) |
ZZ Plant
 | The Zamioculcas zamiifolia (hence ZZ) plant has smaller oval leaves and is low-maintenance enough you could go on vacation for a year and come back to find it happy and healthy. It needs such little water, and does well in any level of light, so whether or not you’ve got window space available, the ZZ plant will be fine. The only downside to this miracle plant is the fact that it grows pretty slowly, so be prepared for it to stay small for a long time. |
Aloe Vera
 | Not only is aloe vera easy to grow, but it’s super useful! Whether you want to make a nourishing face mask or cool off the weekend (or gameday!) sunburn, aloe has intensive healing properties and also is a great air purifier. Aloe plants do like bright sun, so make sure to leave it by the window. Let the soil get really, really dry before you water it again (think maybe once a month), and watch it grow. |
Snake Plant
 | The name sounds a little unattractive, but Dracaena trifasciata is actually … well. Pretty. It likes bright light best, and would prefer to sit by a window, but won’t die if your apartment sits more in the shade than the sun. It also doesn’t much care for water, and is great at surviving droughts—so don’t panic if you forget to water it! |
Spider Plant (pet friendly)
 | This jungle-looking bush will bring some lighter green tones to your home, but keep in mind that the spider plant prefers lots and lots of light. Not direct sun, mind you, but just brightness. It’s great at cleaning the air and doesn’t need much water to provide you with “baby spiders” (spiderettes), which are basically mini-me versions that can easily be put in another pot to give you more spider plants! |
Philodendron Green
 | This vine grows similar to pothos, but with heart-shaped, uniformly-colored leaves. It can’t grow in just water, like pothos can, but it’s fine with little to no sunlight and needs minimal watering. You can also propagate it just as easily as the pothos, which means even more plants for you. |
Dracaena Lisa
 | This hardy, leafy plant can get pretty big—more like a small tree than a potted plant. But if you’ve got the space for it (maybe an empty corner?) it’ll clean your air better than almost anything. Like other Dracaena species, Lisa can adapt to most any environment, so whether the corner is sunny or shady, as long as you give her water every couple of weeks, she’ll be happy as a clam. |
Bird’s Nest Fern (pet friendly)
 | With it’s bright-green, rippled fronds, and moisture-loving tendencies, this fern will bring some much-needed color to your bathroom or shower! As long as you’ve got a window to let a medium amount of light in, you’ll have clean air for your morning and/or nightly routine. The bathroom is usually where you use the most chemicals, like hair spray, bleach cleaners, and aerosol shaving creams, so having a Bird’s Nest in there will really help your long, de-stressing showers purify your lungs, too! |
Kalanchoe
 | If you’re looking for something with pretty flowers to bring into the house, look no further than kalanchoe. The gentle red, orange, or pink flower bundles that will even bloom in wintertime. Give it a medium amount of light and water thoroughly only once the soil has completely dried out, and you’ll have a colorful addition to your living room all year long! |
Moth Orchid
 | We know what you’re thinking—it’s an orchid! How can it be on the list? While most orchids are pretty finicky, the moth orchid is the exception. As long as you’ve got some medium levels of light (it also likes extra-bright light, and can tolerate lower light as well), and you water it every so often, the moth orchid will be just fine. The flowers last for a long time, and once the fall comes in and the nighttime temperatures start cooling off, you may even get a second bloom! |
So there you have it! Be sure to look at the links below for some other low-maintenance houseplants, and for tips on growing the ones we listed here.
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:
The 10 Best Indoor Plants to Purify the Air in Your Home
20 Forgiving Houseplants
Images:
Devil’s Ivy
Tips For Propagating ZZ Plants
Growing Aloe Vera
How to Grow A Snake Plant
Gardening Tips for Spider Plants
Philodendron Plant Profile
Indoor Plants – Dracaena Lisa Cane
How to Grow and Care for a Bird’s Nest Fern
Home and Garden Information Center – Kalanchoe
Yard and Garden: Grow a Moth Orchid
The 10 Best Indoor Plants to Purify the Air in Your Home
20 Forgiving Houseplants
Images:
Devil’s Ivy
Tips For Propagating ZZ Plants
Growing Aloe Vera
How to Grow A Snake Plant
Gardening Tips for Spider Plants
Philodendron Plant Profile
Indoor Plants – Dracaena Lisa Cane
How to Grow and Care for a Bird’s Nest Fern
Home and Garden Information Center – Kalanchoe
Yard and Garden: Grow a Moth Orchid
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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