Ryan's Guide to Your Lawn & Landscape
July 20th, 2011
Today, on to Missouri’s arboreal emblem (a fancy name for state tree), the flowering dogwood. This deciduous tree has represented the state of Missouri since 1955.
- The dogwood tree changes seasonally as it has large, white, showy flowers in the spring, deep red leaves in the fall, dark green foliage in the summer, and red berries in the winter.
- The word dogwood stems from “dagwood” from the use of the very hard wood for making “daggers” or sharp tools and arrows.
- Its original name is the whipple-tree, which was then changed to dog-tree in 1548, and finally dogwood in 1614.
- Its fruit became known as dogberries or houndberries soon after.
- It is one of America’s most popular ornamental trees.
If you wish to plant a flowering dogwood tree in your backyard, keep in mind that it is relatively small in size, rarely growing over 40 ft. in height or 18 in. in diameter. This tree does best in moist, shady areas and when planted in the spring.
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, suggested planting
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July 14th, 2011
Kansas chose the towering Cottonwood as its official state tree in 1937. It is distinguished by its deeply fissured bark and its triangular leaves. Read on for some more interesting facts about the tree.
- It is a part of the willow family.
- American pioneers used the cottonwood’s leaves for animal feed and herbal teas.
- The cottonwood gets its name from the white, fluffy material that is attached to its seeds.
- Because of the surrounding fluffy hairs, when the cottonwood’s seeds drift from the tree, they can be carried through the air for several days!
- The tallest cottonwood in Kansas is in Sheridan County. It’s 82 feet tall and has a 123-feet crown spread. The circumference of its trunk is 32.7 feet.
- A cottonwood can produce up to 48 million seeds annually.
- Many species of butterfly and moth feed on the cottonwood.
If you wish to have one of these beautiful trees in your own landscape, then plant away! They require little maintenance and are fairly adaptable to most regions and soil types across the U.S. Be aware, however, that their hieght can range from 20 to 80 feet tall and they have a broad canopy of widely spreading branches.
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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July 14th, 2011
The oldest known tree in the world is estimated to have germintated in 2832 BC making it 4,844 years old… I had no idea that trees could even live that long!
This tree is a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine that is growing in the White Mountains of Inyo County in eatern California. It is named Methuselah after the Biblical figure who was said to have lived 969 years.
When I read about this tree I thought it would be a cool thing to see in person, but apparently the trees exact location is kept secret from the general public to protect it against vandalism.
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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July 12th, 2011
If you’ve had trouble growing grass in certain areas of your lawn this year, take a moment and look up. As your trees grow larger, they shade your lawn.
Spring and summer bring great growth to your trees, and it is sometimes easy to miss the connection between that wonderful new shade and a bare spot in your yard.
Luckily, this problem may be possible to cure. Prune the large trees in your yard by removing low and interior branches to allow more light to filter through to your grass. Adding a little seed each fall to the bare areas can also help to fill in your lawn.
Keep in mind that trees and grass naturally compete for nutrients so it is rare that grass can grow all the way up to the trunk of a tree. To remedy this, mulch around the base of the tree in a generous circle, from the trunk to the halfway point of the canopy. For a little color, plant some shade-loving perennials in the mulched area.
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, pruning, seeding
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July 8th, 2011
Iron Chlorosis is a health problem most commonly found in Pin Oak Trees that frequently goes unnoticed by homeowners.
This condition is caused by a lack of iron in trees. The leaves on an affected tree turn a pale-green or yellow color. If left untreated for several years, defoliation and branch die back can occur. In severe cases, individual limbs or the entire tree may die.
Depending on the location and the severity of the condition, you can take several steps to treat an oak diagnosed with Iron Chlorosis. The most common and effective solution is the infusion of an iron solution into the tree. This procedure involves drilling small holes into the base of the tree trunk and injecting the necessary iron nutrients. After treatment, greener leaves should begin to appear on the Pin Oak in as little as two to three weeks.
To avoid a problem with Iron Chlorosis in future trees, have the pH of your soil tested by an extension agent in your area to be sure that the tree you want to plant will be compatible with your soil.
If caught early, the effects of Iron Chlorosis damage can be reversed quickly. Make a concerted effort to pay attention to the trees in your yard and be aware of any changes in their appearance. This small effort can make all the difference in assuring that your trees are healthy and beautiful for years to come!
Tags: disease, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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June 27th, 2011
Trees are investments for your property that will truly reward you with years of enjoyment. Before planting in your yard, it is important do some careful planning. For a healthy landscape, take each of these factors into consideration:
- Height. Visit an arboretum to get a sense of how tall the tree will grow. Large trees should be planted away from power lines and at least 25 feet from houses. Smaller trees should be about 10 feet from your home.
- Canopy spread and shape. Know how wide the tree will grow and how much shade it will provide.
- Growth rate. How long will it take for your tree to reach its full height? Slow growing species typically live longer than fast growing species.
- Health Factors. Each tree has unique attributes including length of its roots and canopy, moisture , soil, and light needs, and sensitivity to stresses like temperature, wind or pollution.
- Fruit. Plant fruit trees away from sidewalks, patios and driveways to avoid messy droppings.
- Location. Plant trees on the west and east sides of your house to provide the best cooling in the summer. If you plant on the north or south sides, trees should be at least 25 feet away from your windows to let in the winter sunshine.
After you choose the right tree for the right place in your yard, remember these tips:
- Trees like trees! Use a variety of species and sizes to create clusters of trees that mimic natural groves and forests.
- Use mixed heights and varieties of trees to create living fences that screen views and noise.
- Check with your neighbors before planting near property lines.
- Avoid planting too close to foundations and underground utilities.
Tags: Kansas, landscape maintenance, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, suggested planting
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June 21st, 2011
This past weekend I went to a tree climbing competition at Stagecoach Park in Olathe to watch some of our RYAN pruners compete! There were several events such as an aerial rescue, a secured footlock and a speed climb. Even an 8-year-old Welsh Corgi named Penny was able to get in on the fun!
For more pictures of the event visit the Kansas City Star website!
Tags: events, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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June 17th, 2011
The trees and shrubs in your yard can become more at risk for insect infestation during the spring and summer months. But how can you spot the signs of a potential pest?
Pay close attention to the leaves and branches of your trees and shrubs throughout the season.
Some clues that a pest is dining on your plants may be yellowed, browned or wilted leaves, discolored blisters, blotches, or stippling, small webs, shell-like nodules, or a sugary substance on leaves and branches. If you notice any of these symptoms on your trees or shrubs, contact a certified arborist to create the best plan of action.
The above picture from the Hilton Pond Center is the work of a leaf miner–one of many kinds of insect larvae that live in the layer between the leaf’s upper and lower epidermis. Leaf miners can be the young of moths, sawflies, beetles, weevils, and flies–all of whose larvae tunnel about within the leaf while eating its living tissue.
Tags: insect, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, pests
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June 17th, 2011
Why prune your backyard trees? Correct pruning gives many benefits to your trees and your landscape.
- Health: The removal of diseased, broken, or dead branches on mature trees and young trees alike prevents fungi from penetrating and infecting other areas of your tree. The removal of live branches is occasionally necessary to allow increased exposure to sunlight and circulation of air within the canopy.
- Structural: Young tree pruning is performed for structural enhancement. This helps ensure that your new trees have a healthy branch structure. Proper pruning when trees are young reduces the potential of future problems and the need for structural support as the tree grows.
- Safety: Tree pruning can protect against storm damage and the danger of falling limbs. This is very important for trees that are close to your home and along sidewalks, streets or driveways.
If you are unsure how to go about pruning on your own, a certified arborist who is knowledgable about tree pruning techniques can help. Ryan Lawn & Tree offers free estimates for tree-pruning year-round!
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, pruning, Ryan Lawn & Tree
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June 13th, 2011
Air Conditioners are working extra-hard this week as temperatures reach the upper 90s. What you may not know is that your A/C injects additional carbon into the air. This summer, you can do your part to reduce your carbon footprint while saving energy and decreasing your electric bill. It’s a win-win situation!
Follow these cost-saving tips:
- Check where your room registers are set and close registers in unused rooms where the door can be left open to keep circulation. You can close 1-2 depending on the size of your system and number of registers you have.
- Set your thermostat to 85 degrees while you are away. No reason to run the A/C when you’re not home. Set your A/C to turn on 30 minutes before you expect to get home.
- Install curtains or light blocking shades. This prevents sun rays from baking the air inside of your home like an oven.
- Use fans! Moving air feels cooler than still air.
- Check window and door seals. With age all seals eventually go bad. Change out any cracked or peeling seals.
- Close the doors when you go outside.
- Plant a tree! The tree’s natural shade will keep everything a little cooler and it’s great for the environment. Trees remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the atmosphere.
What creative ideas do you use to keep cool in the summer?
Tags: green benefits, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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