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

On August 2, 2010, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) named August as “Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month.” The goal of the APHIS is to increase understanding in the harm that invasive plant pests and diseases can cause to natural resources and agriculture.

APHIS Administrator Cindy Smith reported, “Preventing foreign pests and diseases from entering the United States is my agency’s number one priority. These destructive pests can jeopardize the livelihood of our farmers, ranchers and foresters, and they can forever alter our natural landscape. We’re dedicating the month of August to raising public awareness about these threats, and we’re asking every American who can to help us fight invasive pests.”

The potential for these potentially harmful organisms to enter the country are present in arriving cargo on foreign ships and through Americans returning home from foreign travel. Such pests and diseases have been found to impact the economy by $1 billion annually. Such pests spread rapidly and through invading native species, and reducing the biological diversity of plants and trees. Certain invasive plant and tree pests have been to be harmful enough to kill plants and trees.

Here are some tips from the APHIS on keeping your area invasive plant pest and disease free:

Living Plants and Fruit – Invasive pests can be easily transported through live plants and fruit. Be sure to keep foreign plants and fruit separate from your landscape until inspected by a pest professional.

Firewood – Keep firewood local. Many pests can be transported through firewood, wood packing materials, and lumber. If the long range transport of these materials is avoided, the spread of invasive pests will decrease.

Clean Equipment – If you like to hike, camp, or if you work in forestry, you can help decrease the spread of invasive pests through cleaning your equipment, boots, and gear before returning home.

Protecting your landscape from invasive plant pests and disease can be easy with the right information. If you notice a strange decline in the health of your plants call an Embark Pest Specialist right away so that we may help in the fight against invasive pests.

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/

While pruning looks easy, lopping off branches and limbs haphazardly greatly reduces the growth potential of trees and shrubs.

Not doing anything might be better as pests kill less tree and shrubs than bad landscaping.

Understanding some basic concepts will make pruning a matter of common sense. Pruning boils down to removing plant parts to improve the value, health or aesthetic effect of the plant.

Once the objectives are determined and a few basic principles understood, pruning primarily is a matter of common sense.

Nature works as a latent pruner. For example, higher branches may block out the sun of lower branches. Soon the flow of moisture and nutrients will be slowly cut off as a lower bough is restricted by tree tissue immediately at the base that connects a branch to the trunk. Slowly but surely, the bough will break.

Picking the right plant for the location can decrease or eliminate the need for pruning. Fast-growing plants that might become too large for the spot, fragile trees or eye sores should few in number as part of a landscaping approach.

With some plants, pruning should be minimized late in the summer to allow new growth. While the Houston winters are moderate, cold weather nonetheless may not allow this growth to harden off in time.

Plants damaged by hurricanes and storms should be pruned as soon as possible to halt the potential of insect and disease problems that may follow.

Pruning should be left to the professionals to ensure that the care is not harmful to the tree or shrub. For the assistance of an Arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, call Embark Tree and Landscape at 713-462-3261 or go to www.embarkservices.com

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

Two tropical depressions provided a dress rehearsal for hurricane season but Houston residents should be ready for the real thing by planning and preparing ahead of the storm.

Fallen trees accounted for 40 percent of all insurance claims after Hurricane Ike, according to one source. While Mother Nature is out of our control, being proactive and accountable for the trees in our yards could minimize cost and damage to your family, home and neighbors.

Don’t let fear drive you to remove a large tree close to the house without the opinion of an Arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. This tree professional can help you avoid higher utility bills, a barren landscape, and guilt.

The tree closest to the house may serve as a wind buffer. A Certified Arborist can determine if the tree is structurally sound and possesses an intact root system.

Pruning trees can reduce property damage from hurricanes, tropical systems and high winds. By eliminating dead and weak branches and selectively thinning as needed, proper pruning techniques by a Certified Arborist allow the wind to blow through the canopy of the tree. Remember to have no more than 25 percent of the canopy removed.

Before hurricane season, certain types of trees should not be planted or should be removed. Young trees with shallow roots and brittle wood and branches cause the most damage during hurricane force winds. Again, a Certified Arborist can give specifics on which trees to secure or remove ahead of time.

While a hurricane has not hit the Gulf Coast yet, awareness and preparedness should receive the highest priority. Let a Certified Arborist from Embark Tree and Landscape help you keep your home, family and neighbors safe. Call 713-462-3261 for a free estimate and 10 percent off when you mention this blog.*

*Offer expires July 31, 2010.

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

During the unforgiving Houston summer, most gardeners prefer the shade to tending plants when the sun is at its highest point.

Is this a case of what’s good for the gardener good for the garden? A shaded garden is a harbor of protection for many plants. By planning wisely and selecting the right plants, everyone can enjoy a shade beyond green.

The gradients of shade are not easy as black and white but can be grouped into three types:

• Deep shade – Located under dense, low-hanging branches or on the north side of a high wall or house.

• Medium shade – Situated under higher and less dense branches where there is light but not direct sun.

• Open shade – Found under a thin, high canopy of trees, beneath a trellis or shady cover. Shade tolerant plants and those that favor partial sunlight can flourish in the open shade.

First of all, soil preparation is paramount with plants in the shade since tree roots will be competing for moisture and nutrition. Organic matter will keep things moist, add nutrients and improve soil texture. Clay soils may benefit from the added sand.

Shady locations are often dry, so consider how your shady garden will be watered. Though not cheap, an underground irrigation system is a consideration. A soaker hose makes an even more economical alternative.

A local guide from a county extension agent can identify potential plants. The plants need to be shade plants that will also flourish in this climate zone. Plants vary in different shade.

Creating a shade garden takes time and planning. Let Embark Tree and Landscape Services do the work so you can enjoy your garden. Call them at 713-462-3261 or go to www.embarkservices.com