tacoma nursery, gardening

"In the Yard" with James Billy

Urban Tree Thinning - Refresh your World! 3/20/08

Generous, bounty-bearing orchard trees. Stately native Evergreens, standing guard. Bushy huggable grimace-like trees. Tall chattering fall-time rustlers. Showy flowering Spring-time trees. Iconic canopy Oaks.

The trees in our yards are an important yet quiet presence among us. Most were planted by a past generation, maturing for us to enjoy. Some are our gift to ourselves and will have a lasting impact for decades to come.

Our urban trees are an umbrella in spring showers, a shady canopy in the heat of summer. A perch for songbirds in the morning. Wind screens in fall and winter. They offer a look-out and privacy.

The care of our backyard trees is often forgotten. We do not need to routinely care for them like we do our lawn, our roses or our vegetable garden. I encourage all to take a close look at our often overlooked trees. A simple thinning is an easy way to protect the health of your tree.

Benefits:
No more suffocating or intrusive feel to your yard or house. Eliminate dead-wood amongst the healthy branches. Warm sunlight will get into the trunk and to the garden below. Refreshing air and rain will move more freely within and around the tree. Birds will be more visible on their perch. Even a modest thinning will offer you a much more ornamental, yet natural, looking tree.

An arborist is the best bet for getting the affordable results you want while taking care of the tree and its long-term health. In the Seattle-Tacoma corridor, I recommend Karl Babl Tree Service. (206)522.7883

The websites below are terrific resources for learning more:
National Arbor Day Foundation
International Society of Arboriculture

Go outside!
~ James Billy ~



READER EMAILS:
"I used Karl Babl to thin a cedar tree in my front lawn. I would highly recommend his services. Karl's timeliness, knowledge and attention to detail make him a pleasure to work with." -Hank