Cleaning-Up Wild Growth

This Fall, many landscapes are looking more like jungles. Homeowners are experiencing an explosion of growth in their trees and shrubs thanks to heavy rainfall over the past several months. Giroud demonstrates how a Brushcutter machine and crew can clean up your overgrown landscape. Video includes before and after images as well as a video clip of the Brushcutter in action.

Do It Yourself: Raking Leaves and Composting

It’s more than aesthetics, raking leaves is important for your lawn. Leaves left on your grass over the winter will smother your lawn. Come Spring, you’ll find bare spots that will open the door for crabgrass and weeds.

Take special care when removing leaves from recently seeded lawns. Use a blower to protect tender seedlings. If you don’t have a blower, please use a light touch to gently remove leaves from newly seeded areas.

If you are industrious and interested in composting the leaves you rake up, be prepared for a time consuming but very worthwhile process. You'll need a composting bin in which you regularly mix or "turn over" the pile of leaves. You can make your own bin using discarded pallets that will allow air flow. Leaves in the homemade version will need to be turned with a pitchfork. You can also buy a compost tumbler with a hand crank to frequently turn the leaves. To speed up the composting, shred the leaves with a mulching mower before putting them in the bin. Learn more about composting.

Tree Spotlight: Euonymus Alata (Burning Bush)

With leaves that turn a fiery red, the Euonymus Alata (aka: Burning Bush) is a real stunner in the Fall. The Burning Bush a hardy shrub that likes well drained soil, tolerates full sun, but also does well in partial shade. A beautiful hedge, it can also be planted alone as a focal point. The Burning Bush is a fast grower that can reach 15'-20' in height and width. To ensure that it doesn't outgrow its space, choose your planting location carefully and control its growth with regular pruning.

Prune Trees Now for Health and Safety

Pruning improves tree health and safety. Giroud Arborist, Drew Slousky and Climber, Will Cowley are joined by Giroud Customer and homeowner, Mr. Pillsbury to discuss how pruning will remove ugly deadwood, clear overgrown limbs from wires, house and gutters and prevent breakage in storms.

Tree Spotlight: Sugar Maple

A landscape standout, the Sugar Maple has medium to dark-green leaves that turn yellow, burnt orange or red in fall. The best time for planting is in the Fall. Versatile and drought tolerant, it can be planted in a variety of soil types and grows well in shady conditions. Be sure to give the Sugar Maple ample space to grow since it can reach a height of 70 to 90 feet with crowns that can spread 60 to 80 feet.