Ryan's Guide to Your Lawn & Landscape
January 31st, 2012
This winter has not been typical. Little snow and 60 degree days in January have become expected. Knock on wood. While we may be enjoying the sun’s warmth, our landscape could potentially face a few dangers with the small amount of snowfall received so far.
Any type of bulb foliage that you may be currently seeing could be affected by frost from low temperatures in the evening. The frost damage may turn the edges of the leaves brown and dry, but it will have no lasting effect on the plant and will not stop it from flowering.
Make sure to pay special attention to any evergreens planted in containers. These can continue to lose water through their leaves in the winter, so watering them will help them perform better once springtime arrives.
Tags: Kansas, landscape maintenance, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
Posted in landscaping, Uncategorized, weather | 1 Comment »
December 16th, 2011
Landscape Lighting can be a quick and easy way to increase the value of your beautiful lawn. Why only enjoy your front or back yard during the daylight hours? When deciding to install lighting, ask yourself the purpose…
Maybe you want to set a nice romantic mood, or maybe you are trying to increase the safety of your house at night. No matter the reason, make a sketch of your yard and decide where to place your lighting before you begin purchasing. This planning process should ensure that your next landscaping project will be a success!
Tags: Kansas, landscape maintenance, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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December 8th, 2011
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While some NFL stadiums have taken to the artificial turf craze, all of us here at Ryan Lawn and Tree are happy to hear that natural turf is still top dog. According to last year’s NFLPA Playing Surface Survey, players overwhelmingly preferred to play on grass.
The survey revealed that 82.4% of responding players believe that artificial surfaces are more likely to contribute injury, 89.1% feel that artificial surfaces create more soreness and fatigue, and 89.7% feel artificial surfaces are more likely to shorten their playing career. While the players do prefer grass fields, most agreed that cities such as Pittsburgh and Chicago should give in to the artificial turf due to such harsh winters.
Next time you collapse into your La-Z-Boy on a lazy Sunday afternoon, take a moment to admire the field. Here’s a list of the top 5 playing surfaces in the NFL:
1. University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona Cardinals
2. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego Chargers
4. Bank of America Stadium, Carolina Panthers
5. Lambeau Field, Green Bay Packers
Click to read more about the NFLPA Playing Surface Survey
Tags: grass, Kansas, Missouri, NFL, Oklahoma, turf
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December 3rd, 2011
While Ryan Lawn & Tree may be in the business of keeping your trees alive and healthy, the trees currently burning in your fireplace may seem most important during the cold winter months.
Firewood is one of the world’s oldest renewable natural resources. The wood is obtained from unusable or unwanted building supplies.
When looking for firewood choose wood that has been properly aged. Wood that has been air dried for at least a year will prove the most effective. When firewood is moist, the wood consumes its own energy to evaporate the water rather than throwing the heat off into your living room. To quicken the time that it takes for the wood to dry, it is split through the bark that holds the watertight seal of the tree’s inner core.
As a general rule, store purchased firewood in a dry place for at least one year before use.
To learn more about the history, identification, and use of firewood visit About Firewood
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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December 2nd, 2011
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We all know the Christmas Tree is a symbol of the Holiday, but here are a few facts that you may not have known about the tree:
- “Christmas Trees were first sold commercially in the United States around 1885
- President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn in 1923
- The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, balsam fir and white pine
- In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
- Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature.
- Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.
- 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees are sold in the U.S. every year”
To read more fun facts about the history and evolution of the Christmas Tree visit Christmas Tree Facts
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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December 1st, 2011
Axel Erlandson (1884-1964) dedicated his life to the art of sculpting, pruning, and bending trees. The result: 28 beautifully sculpted trees that helped everyone appreciate the awe that nature can provide.
Here are a few pictures of the trees that Erlandson crafted:
The Ladder Tree: Created from two Box Elders, all nine rings on the ladder truly are climable. These trees can still be viewed in Gilroy, California at the Gilroy Gardens!
The Basket Tree: One of Erlandson’s most demanding designs, the basket tree is created by planting six sycamore trees in a circle. Through a process of slowing growth, and then speeding it up, the trees are grown together in a diamond pattern.
To read more about these wonderful trees visit A Short History of Axel Erlandson
Tags: circus, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, trees
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November 29th, 2011
It may be cold outside, but don’t be fooled… Now is the perfect time to begin planning your spring landscaping!
Here are some helpful steps to take in order to ensure your landscape will be the talk of the block:
- Research your plant options
- Trees, shrubs, and ground cover will increase size and value of landscaping. Not to mention they require little maintenance.
- Flowers can provide the beauty of your landscaping; however, they may require the most work so choose wisely!
- Map out your designs
- The right combination and placement of trees, flowers, ground cover, and grass will result in a landscape that you can take pride in.
- Order your seeds
Remember that landscapers tend to be very busy as soon as the snow begins to melt so start your planning now!
Tags: flower, grass, Kansas, landscape maintenance, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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November 15th, 2011
Thank goodness for evergreen trees in the midwest. Once all of the beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves have fallen off of the deciduous trees in the area, only the evergreens are left to provide some color to the landscape. Here is a little guide to the different types of evergreens and what distinguishes each particular variety:
Juniper/Cedar Trees: These trees are very well suited for the Missouri/Kansas climate. Those with allergies may despise them; however local small birds and mammals find comfort beneath their needles.
Pine Trees: Pine trees provide a great windbreak for those living in rural areas. Farmers tend to prefer the pine for their low probability of spreading across a field.
Spruce Trees: The Colorado Blue Spruce and the Norwegian Spruce are most common in the midwest. If you plan to plant a spruce keep in mind that they require full sunlight to reach their full potential.
Arborvitae: Another example of a hearty evergreen that can survive the harshest conditions Kansas and Missouri have to throw at it. Drought resistant, and thrives in the winter; the arborvitae can grow at a rate of 2-3 feet per year.
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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November 8th, 2011
The exact details as to why your leaves change colors in the fall is not fully known; however, scientists have determined that leaf pigments, weather, and the length of night influence the timing of this change.
There are three different types of pigments involved in autumn color:
- Chlorophyll, which gives leaves their basic green color. It is necessary for photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for their food. Trees in the temperate zones store these sugars for their winter dormant period.
- Carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, and brown colors in such things as corn, carrots, and daffodils, as well as rutabagas, buttercups, and bananas.
- Anthocyanins, which give color to such familiar things as cranberries, red apples, concord grapes, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and plums. They are water soluble and appear in the watery liquid of leaf cells.
During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors!
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Tags: fall, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma
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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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