We spend lots of time creating blog posts and newsletters about how to take care of your own trees. But, what’s the process when the problem – dead or dangling branches, diseases, or even pests – are emanating from a neighboring property?

Here at Joshua Tree, we’re getting ready to say, “Goodbye,” to 2015 and “Hello,” to 2016. While there may be some old habits or items you’re willing to say a permanent goodbye to, established trees and shrubs shouldn’t fall into that category. And, with the cold weather that accompanies this time of year, you risk doing just that if you aren’t careful.

Safety is the name of the game in the tree care industry – or at least, it should be. Just consider this recent article on the CDC website about another tree trimmer death in California. Tree trimming fatalities are not the norm, but they are certainly a risk.

What’s your favorite part of the winter and holiday season? Is it the gathering of family and friends? The traditions your family has passed down through generations? Maybe it’s the excuse to consume your favorite holiday foods and beverages carte blanche? We bet it’s a combination of all of the above.

It’s hard to believe it has already been six months since we wrote about the importance of grub control when it comes to lawn health. If you took our advice back then, and are enjoying a lush, full green lawn as a result – it’s time to set your sites on the upcoming winter.

Beautiful, mature and large-canopied trees are some of Pennsylvania’s most valuable assets. The average yards here have the types of trees that postcards are made of. These trees grow for decades, and often hundreds, of years in order to reach their admirable heights and grow all that gorgeous foliage. Even so, just a single week or so of new construction or property improvements can spell disaster for them.

Little bugs can do serious damage to Pennsylvania trees and shrubs, both native and otherwise. One example of this is a group of pests referred to as spider mites. Although mostly invisible to the naked eye (they are that small!), spider mites can do a significant amount of damage to the shrubs, trees and even flowering plants that make your landscape so beautiful.

According to the folks at the American Lung Association, most of us take about 20,000 breaths a day, filling our lungs with much needed oxygen. If you were to stop taking those breaths, you would lose consciousness in about a minute or so, and you would die in within a few minutes of losing consciousness. In addition to oxygen, you need water, food and a little space to move around, right?

While we are delighted that so many of our clients don’t trim their own trees (we might be out of business if everyone did…) we also understand that DIY landscape maintenance is supremely satisfying. It gets you outdoors, allows you to form a relationship with your plants and trees and you get to see instantaneous results from all your hard work. Plus, anything you can do on your own – without the use of a professional - puts a little more money back in your pocket.

We totally get it; you’re trying to save a buck like everybody else, and one of the best ways to do that is avoid purchasing unnecessary services or products you don’t really need. So, is grub control for your lawn really necessary, or is it simply a waste of your precious dime? It’s a good question and, unfortunately, we don’t have a firm answer for you. You may need it, you may not.