The LW Treecare Blog

When choosing firewood for your wood stove, you have a lot of options. There are two main factors you must consider when choosing the best logs for a wood burning stove: wood type and wood moisture content. In this post, we’ll explain which types of wood make the best logs for a wood burning stove. Choosing firewood wood is more complex than you think. What you burn is critical to your wood burning stove’s performance and longevity. Whether you harvest your own firewood or us

A vital and often overlooked factor affecting the health of your trees and shrubs is soil. In fact, improving your tree's soil is very often the best possible thing you can do to help it thrive Soil is not just dirt. Soil is an ecosystem where thousands of different organisms coexist, often competing, but often helping each other survive. Plants, animals, fungi, bacteria - all have forged lasting symbiotic relationships with other species at some point in their evolutionary h

Trees grow until they reach the height and size that their genetic programming dictates. That said there are ways to restrict growth. Prune back regularly. Depending on the type of tree, you can maintain a tree's branch diameter through regular pruning practices. This does not stop the tree from growing, but enables you to control the size to a certain extent. Note that on some trees, new wood is where next year's blossoms appear, so you may sacrifice the beauty of some trees

When a tree is young, its goal is to get its head above the competition and catch as much sunlight as possible. In the forest, where trees compete for light and space, the most efficient way to do this is with an "excurrent" growth habit -- that is, a single, undivided stem and lateral branches. As it reaches its mature height, the branching habit becomes "codominant" -- that is, its stem and branches often subdivide with forks instead of true lateral branches. But when we do

Tree transpiration and tree canopies can affect air temperature, radiation absorption and heat storage, wind speed, relative humidity, turbulence, surface albedo, surface roughness and consequently the evolution of the mixing-layer height. Such changes in local meteorology can have an affect on local pollutant concentrations in urban areas. Urban trees are generally associated with contributing to cooler summer air temperatures, however in some instances they may have the opp

It is recognised that particular issues may stem from where trees with poisonous fruit and / or foliage is allowed to overhang onto neighbouring property, where animals can graze upon this poisonous matter both removed from and attached to the tree. Without question, the accepted precedent with regards to overhanging branches apply, and principally under the ruling from the Rylands v Fletcher [1868] case (not to do with trees, but instead the escape of water from the defendan

Tree root systems do not grow very deep. Tree's roots grow shallow and wide. Do not cut them! Tap root? Okay, many conifers have tap roots extending deep into the soil, however they still rely on surface roots for oxygen, moisture, and nutrients. In general, tree roots are close to the surface, extend laterally from the tree (like spokes on a bicycle wheel), and extend far beyond the canopy of the tree. Commonly, roots will extend well beyond 2 to 3 times outside of the drip-

The beauty of planting trees is that everyone has a chance to appreciate them - including succeeding generations - not just the gardeners who put them there in the first place. They also filter dust, generate materials for the garden, add punctuation, focus, seasonality, habitats -and, of course, great beauty. As with other important partnerships in life, it is best not to fall in love with a tree and select it because it looks drop-dead gorgeous at the garden centre, far bet

Trees reduce the chances of rain harming soil. The roots of trees create multiple channels that can hold soil in place. The foliage atop trees prevents harsh winds and rains from attacking soil. Vegetation, including trees, holds soil in place and shelters it from wind and water, preventing The roots from trees and other plants stabilize the soil and hold it in place. Vegetation also lessens the impact which precipitation hits the ground and shelters the soil from wind erosio

Trees help rain seep into soil because living and decaying roots make soil porous by creating a network of well-connected, minuscule channels in the soil. Rainwater seeps into soil with such channels several hundred times faster than it seeps through soil without channels. Additionally, when plant debris falls on the soil and starts to organically degrade, it helps soil maintain integrity and form small aggregated clumps. These clumps also ensure that soil is porous. Once wat

Trees are like the lungs of the planet. They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Additionally, they provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. But that’s not all trees do for us! To see just how much trees are essential to the planet and to humans, let’s look at the following statistics: CO2 is one of the major contributing elements to the greenhouse effect. Trees trap CO2 from the atmosphere and make carbohydrates that are used for plant growth. They give us

It’s often possible to save a branch that has partially torn off a tree or even entirely broken free by grafting it back into place, much like you can graft an amputated finger back onto a human hand. First, maneuver the branch into the right position. First you have to get the branch temporarily into the right position. You can also prop the branch up with one or more stakes or tie it temporarily into place with wire or cord. You’ll want it perfectly aligned with its origina

It might surprise you to learn that trees do get sunscald or sunburn and the remedy is not an SPF 30 lotion. Sunscald on trees usually happens on the south or south-west exposed bark. The bark is damaged and in severe cases can result in the death of the tree. Historically, sunscald has been prevented by wrapping or painting the trunk of the tree. Sunscald has been studied for many years but the science is still not conclusive. To start with, there are really two types of sun

The unofficial start to summer is here! Though, we wouldn’t enjoy those moments nearly as much without our trees! Shade trees instantly cool us down on those hot, humid summer days. They even cool our homes! When planted on the west side of your house trees reduce the use of air conditioning. In addition to keeping us cool, trees also protect us from UV rays?Sitting under a shade tree provides the equivalent of SPF 10 sunblock Trees are a natural sunscreen! In addition to wea

Tree Fungus is a common ailment for trees. When fungal spores come in contact with a susceptible host they begin to grow, enter, and feed on the tree or shrub Not all fungi growing on your tree are harmful; some do not affect the tree at all while others are even beneficial. It’s best to have an arborist diagnose what type of fungus is growing on your tree. The arborist will be able to let you know if the fungus is harmful and be able to recommend appropriate treatments. Tree

First, decide if you can handle the job or you need help. If you need help contact LW Tree Care Ltd. It isn't easy. The project requires root pruning the season prior to transplanting, digging up the plant to be moved, digging a new planting hole, moving a heavy plant with the root ball attached, positioning the plant and refilling both holes. Providing plant care after the transplant is critical as well. Do not consider transplanting if you will not be able to provide water

Leaves appear green because of the chlorophyll they contain. Chlorophyll is the part of the leaf that uses carbon dioxide, sunlight and water to produce sugar. A leaf with plenty of chlorophyll masks other pigment colors. A pigment is a substance that absorbs, reflects and transmits visible light, which consists of colors that the human eye can see. When white light illuminates a pigment, the color that a person sees on leaves is the color of light that the pigment reflects a

What is the problem with trees and buildings? Structural damage caused by subsidence This is generally only a problem on shrinkable clay soils. Buildings up to four storeys constructed before the 1950s are most at risk, as they frequently have comparatively shallow foundations Roots may enter and block drains. If the drain leaks, it can lead to the formation of cavities where water flows into the soil. Older drains with poor seals and rigid joints are most susceptible Branche

Nothing is more horrific to any gardener, hobbyist or professional, than seeing a beloved tree dying from disease. Trees can become infected with disease, just like people and animals, and there are many different bacterial and fungal infections from which the trees might suffer. Tree disease is caused by varying factors, including the tree’s geographical location, weather, soil conditions, and the overall health of the tree and other plant life surrounding it. Where a person

In the summertime, tree leaves can fall victim to a variety of leaf illnesses and conditions. Insufficient watering, transplant shock, soil compaction, newly planted trees, moderate to severe drought, over-fertilization, and much more are all potential circumstances that can damage trees and their leaves. It can certainly be a mystery as to why the leaves on your trees are suddenly changing and falling off in the middle of the summer if you are new to gardening and tree care