There are a couple of very good reasons to trim your trees. First of all, trimming trees encourages them to grow strong and healthy. If you have large trees on your property or are growing saplings that will one day be large trees, you want them to be strong and healthy in order to withstand harsh weather and not come crashing down, especially if they are located around your house or other structures.

Secondly, proper tree trimming adds aesthetic beauty to your property. Instead of having very tall and scraggly trees that are not so appealing, you create a fuller tree with great structure that are lovely to gaze at. An added benefit to full, structured trees is that they can withstand a great deal of wind and provide a lot of shade.

When to Trim

The rule of thumb for most trees is that they should be pruned from late Fall through March 1st for major pruning. Minor pruning can be done year round.

It is advisable to do some arbor research before pulling out the pruners. You can glean tree-specific information from online, through books or the library, or by consulting a professional arborist.

Major Tree Trimming

In some cases, tree growth has gotten out of hand and needs major trimming. Major tree trimming requires a bit different approach than normal trimming.

The first step is to remove all scraggly, weak, and dead branches, cutting them flush with large branches or the trunk.

You want to reduce the size of the full canopy by approximately a third, but you should begin by cutting growth on the outer portions of larger branches and work your way in to the target point. Cutting smaller portions makes removal easier as well as relieving tension gradually which is much safer.

Try to keep overall trimming as symmetrical as possible for the best results in appearance. Any branches you want to remove totally should be cut flush with the larger branch being left. Avoid cutting a branch at mid point. Always try to find a joint to make the cut.

A long deep watering after pruning is always good. Consider fertilizing the tree around April 15th.

It’s time to start thinking about your spring landscaping projects. Whether it is a simple added patio or water feature or complete new landscape or renovation of your yard, planning ahead will make your project go smoother. Start with writing down your ideas, clip articles in magazines, and take photos of yards you like. Photograph your yard from different angles, making sure to get reference points in the photo so you can easily recognize different areas of the yard. Go to our website, santaritalandscaping.com and look at our photo gallery for ideas. Print out ideas you like. If you are unsure of what you want to do, you can go to our website and take our Design Survey to help you get started.

The process from idea to final plan and proposal can take 3-5 weeks depending on the design you are interested in.  Once you have your ideas together, give us a call and set an appointment to come into our Design Center. We have a great room with lots of material samples and hundreds of photos to help you find just what you are looking for. We spend about an hour and half discussing what you like and what you want to use in your yard. We also talk about budget to make sure your project does not get over or under designed.

After the interview we will generally draw up a detailed landscape plan and proposal. Then set another appointment to go over your plans in detail and get your project rolling.

Now’s the time to start thinking about the health of your citrus trees, more specifically fertilization to give them the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Citrus fertilizer should contain nitrogen, micronutrients of iron, zinc, and manganese. You will want to fertilize your trees 3 times a year and a good way to remember when to fertilize is by holidays: Valentine’s Day (February), Memorial Day (May) and Labor Day (September). Always remember though that timing is critical, you do not want to fertilize your citrus tree while it is blooming. This could burn the blooms and cause less fruit to set.  Follow directions closely on the bag of fertilizer and water the trees well after application.

Winter pruning of your Rose Bushes helps to ensure a healthy plant and more blooms in the spring. Mid-January to early February is a great time to prune your dormant roses. This helps to remove dead or diseased portions of the plant, stimulates new growth and can enhance the form and shape of the plant. Pruning Rose Bushes properly can sometimes be difficult. Here are some great websites to help you in your pruning endeavors.

Houzz

https://www.rosesocietyoftucson.org/wtd-february

Having an area in your backyard to congregate is a necessary choice. A fireplace or a fire pit is the perfect option, especially during these cold winter months. The problem is: a fireplace or fire pit? There are different uses for each, each with their own pros and cons. Beyond that, you can decide if your fire will be gas or wood-burning. We will discuss both options more in-depth, in hopes of helping you make an informed decision:

Fireplaces are a classic part of the house, and are traditionally a way to heat your home — but they can be just as useful when placed outside. An outdoor fireplace can be very architecturally pleasing and can be customized to fit the architecture and décor of any patio/backyard area. They can be built from brick and stone or block. There are multiple chimney options as well, including masonry and reinforced concrete and clay. Fireplaces can also be large enough to provide privacy for yourself, family, and friends in your backyard. Through strategic placement, your fireplace can provide a barrier between you and any neighbors’ prying eyes. These style and placement options can come together to provide an intimate backyard setting. The downfall of fireplaces is that they can be more expensive than a fire pit and may require a permit. They can also be difficult for a large group of people to gather around, due not only to the limited size of the face but also its limited ability to produce heat.

A fire pit can be much more cost-effective to install than a fireplace, as there are not so many parts. Since people can feel the heat from all sides of a fire pit you are able to have a much larger crowd gather around it. Fire pits can provide a more relaxing, laid back, and fun outdoor environment. Children are not left out when gathering around a fire pit, as they can easily roast marshmallows or other snacks in it. One of the negatives of choosing a fire pit is that it requires more of your patio seating area, as they are generally placed in the center of it. There are also fewer architectural options with a fire pit, therefore generally making them a less architecturally pleasing option.

If you need more information about fireplaces and fire pits, and which would work best for your space, contact Santa Rita Landscaping. We can be reached by phone at (520) 623 0421, or by email at info@srlandscaping.com.