Link: http://www.embarkservices.com/blog/blogs/

Research has shown that trees can increase your property value. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the presence of street trees raised home values by an average of $7,000 in certain neighborhoods. When planted and maintained by certified arborists, street trees can bring both beauty and value to neighborhoods for decades or even centuries.

In recent polls, good looking and tall trees were rated as top characteristics of a “good street”, but what makes a good street tree?

Here are some characteristics of good street trees:

Moderate Growth – Fast growing trees may present problems with controlling maintenance in addition to having shorter life-spans with weaker wood. A slow growing or moderately growing tree, such as a maple or dogwood, will have longer life-spans and stronger wood.

Type of Wood – Since street trees will experience elements such as car exhaust, sand, and in some cities salt, the wood has to be hard or tough so that the tree can withstand such foreign environmental elements.

Longevity – Trees such as Live Oaks, Maples, and Elms are good street trees because of their longevity. In addition to longevity, the longer the life of a tree can equate to potentially higher resistance of disease.

Deep Roots – Since street trees are close to roads, sidewalks, and driveways, it is important to have a tree with a deep root system so that the roots don’t disrupt the pavement. In addition, with deep roots, the tree will be less likely to be damaged with any road maintenance.

Street trees can be majestic additions to any neighborhood. Make sure that your street trees are “good street trees” so that their beauty can be admired for decades to come.

After all, "The best friend on Earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the Earth." - Frank Lloyd Wright

Link: http://www.embarkservices.com/blog/blogs/

One of the most important aspects of creating a new or redoing a landscape is choosing the right plant or tree and putting it in the right place. Taking the soil, available water, and the extreme temperatures of the area are very important for creating a lasting environment for your plant or tree. Using a certified arborist or landscape professional will help avoid choices that aren’t suitable for a long lasting landscape.

Here are some tips from landscape experts on what to take into consideration when planning a new landscape:

Size Matters – If a plant or tree is healthy then it will grow. Make sure that the area in which the plant or tree is planted allows for growth. Make sure that your selected plant or tree won’t outgrow its area when it is fully mature. Also, some plants grow faster than others. Keep in mind the growth characteristics of the chosen plants for your landscape so that they can be arranged in the most aesthetically appealing formation.

Quench their Thirst – Make sure that the irrigation system available to your plants and trees are both effective and efficient. The size of the irrigation system will dictate the amount of water delivered to your plants. In addition to your irrigation system, make sure that your water isn’t harmful to your plants. Some water sources have higher salinity or alkalinity either of which could damage your plants over time.

Soil Solution – The quality of soil composition is often overlooked when choosing plants or trees for your new landscape. It is important to choose plants which match the natural composition of the soil in your landscape. Having soil that is fertile and well balanced is imperative to the survival of your plants and trees.

The Extremes of Temperature - Living in an area which has extreme high temperatures limits the growth of many plants including some annual species. Temperature ranges of the daytime play an important role in determining how a plant will grow and survive in a certain area. Many plants also have nighttime temperature requirements in order to reach their full growth potential. Make sure to check with your landscape professional to ensure proper plants and trees for the climate.

Using site specific planning when it comes to designing your new landscape will be well worth the effort. Your trees and plants will successfully grow and thrive in an environment that matches their needs. Make sure to use a certified landscape professional or certified arborist when entering into your landscape design journey.

Link: http://www.embarkservices.com/blog/blogs/

When children of today are compared to those of generations past, they are spending up to 60% less time with nature and in the outdoors. The lives of children have become more driven by technology and less driven by climbing trees and hiking on nature trails. There are huge benefits of having children spending their free time outdoors and in nature, including an increase exposure to vitamin D through natural sunlight, increased activity and exercise, as well as exploring and learning about the natural environment.

There are many activities that adults can do alongside children to re-explore the outdoors.

Invite the wilderness into your backyard – Have areas of your backyard include planted flowers which will attract beautiful butterflies. Add a bird feeder to a backyard tree or to your back porch area. Create areas of your yard that will feature prairie plants or shrubs, perfect for hide-and-go-seek.

Use your trees for learning – Trees in your backyard can create a serene and natural learning environment. Instead of having homework time at the kitchen table, or in a bedroom, have it underneath the shade of a tree. Doing so may even spark some creativity.

Create time for outdoor play – By building outdoor play into your home schedule children will benefit from in various ways. Studies have reported that children who play outdoors not only benefit physically but mentally as well. Nature has been shown to stimulate creativity and imagination. Those children who play with others outdoors have been shown to be more successful in collaborative thinking, social problem solving, and even language skills.

Knowing local nature will keep kids safe – Having your child learn about the local natural animals and plants that surround them will keep them safe. Knowing which snakes are dangerous or knowing which leaves can cause itching and allergic reactions can help prevent accidents.

Create a calming place – With all of the sensory stimulation available to children today, some may need a place to go where they can be calm, quiet, and feel free to explore with all five of their senses. Hearing the birds or feeling the grass can do wonders for a child’s ability to self-soothe.

Here are some fun outdoor activities you can do with your child:

Backyard Scavenger Hunt – Create a list of natural items that can be found in your backyard. See who can find the most items, or who can find them all the fastest.

That’s My Tree! – Plant trees from seedlings and watch them grow. A fun twist would be to name the trees and create conversations about the growing and aging of the tree.

Edible Garden – Create a garden of vegetables, fruits, or herbs and use the produce that you grow in the food that you eat.

Children are natural explorers and if allowed the opportunity, can be quite curious about the natural world that surrounds them. Put the wild back into your child and make a re-introduction to your back yard and beyond.

Link: http://www.embarkservices.com/blog/blogs/

Celebrity weddings, and special events are gorgeous, over-the-top, and create dreams of grandeur for those who aspire to have a celebrity-esque event. However, celebrity events come with a celebrity price tag. Thankfully there are ways to create the look of a celebrity occasion on a less than celebrity budget.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – Centerpieces dripping with Swarovski crystals are exquisitely elegant but does anyone ever check for the Swarovski label? If you answered no, then you are in luck. Décor creations can be draped with glass crystals at a fraction of the price of those famed Swarovski glittering pieces of wonder. With the right placement of glass crystals accompanied by the right room lighting, even the Material Girl herself won’t be able to tell the difference.

Choose your flowers wisely – Choosing flowers that are out of season or on the pricey end can dramatically increase your budget. Instead, check with your local florist to see what blooms are in season. Instead of Peonies, which can be quite pricey, choose a garden rose which will have the same full look as a Peony at a fraction of the price. Try using hydrangea where you can. This stunning bloom can cover a large area so you won’t have to use as many.

Making it different can make the difference – Instead of having centerpieces that are all statuesque and towering in their beauty, create some contrast in the room. Typically the taller the centerpiece the more expensive it will be, so have a select few tables feature these pricey beauties while other tables feature low arrangements showcasing similar floral arrangements. This will create a beautiful density to the room that any celebrity would be proud of.

Be green and reuse – If you are planning a wedding, use some of your ceremony arrangements as table centerpieces. No one will notice the reuse of the arrangement and just think of the money you can save. For example, a beautiful arrangement used as an altar piece can be reused as a topper to a tall vase or as a spray on a buffet table.

Whatever your budget may be, make sure and explore your options. The look of a celebrity event can easily be created on a budget, you just have to be creative. Your team at Embark Floral is ready with creative ideas to make sure that your event fits both your budget and your style.

Link: http://www.embarkservices.com/blog/blogs/

Proper pruning of your trees is imperative not only for aesthetic appeal of your landscape, but also to maintain the health of your trees. For a new tree, pruning fosters healthy growth, sturdy branching structure, and necessary shaping. Pruning can also help in the building of the strength of a tree to combat extreme weather conditions. For example, a properly thinned tree will be better able to withstand high winds in events such as hurricanes or storms.
However, pruning is a process, and each cut that is made has the potential to change the growth of the tree. In fact, if a tree is pruned improperly the result can be damage that will extend to the full life of the tree, or could even shorten the lifespan of the tree.

Common reasons to start the pruning process are to remove dead or dying limbs, balance or shape the tree, or to remove branches that may have become hazardous to your home or family.

Most maintenance pruning can actually take place at any time throughout the year without negatively affecting the tree. Woundwood development and tree health is potentially increased when pruning occurs in early spring. To avoid tree stress, it is recommended that a heavy pruning is not done immediately after the visible spring growth of the tree. Heavy pruning is recommended to be done in the fall.

However, all pruning is not created equal. Here are different types of pruning from which trees can benefit:

Crown Cleaning: Dead, dying, weakly attached, crowded, or diseased branches are removed from the crown of the tree.

Crown Raising: Lower branches from the tree are removed to improve clearance heights for houses, vehicles, surrounding landscape, and of course your family.

Crown Thinning: Branches are selectively removed to increase air circulation through the crown and to increase the amount of light able to penetrate through the branches. The weight on heavy limbs is reduced and the foliage of the tree opens helping the tree retain its natural shape. A common mistake is over-thinning which will leave a tree unbalanced and can result in limbs that are more prone to failure.

Crown Reduction: The size of the tree is reduced. This process is most commonly used in coordination with utility lines. The height and width of the tree is reduced while the structural integrity is maintained.

As a tree ages, it will require less routine pruning as long as the proper pruning was a part of the initial growth process. In fact in large, mature trees, pruning is often a process of only removing dead, dying, or potentially hazardous limbs.

Arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture play key roles in the pruning process as they will be able to determine what type of pruning is best for your tree, and for you. With a Certified Arborist, the guesswork of which branches to cut is eliminated as are many safety concerns. Pruning large trees can be very dangerous. Peace of mind can come with a professional crew with all of the necessary safety equipment, liability insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance. Embark’s team of Certified Arborists, degreed Foresters, and highly experienced crews will work to help ensure the health, safety, and beauty of your trees.

Trees add to the value and beauty of your landscape, but only if properly maintained. Make sure that your trees are properly pruned so that they can reach their full tree potential.