The Business of “Growing” Successfully

· February 16, 2011 · 12:58 pm · Did You Know?, Employees, Misc., Tree care, , , , , , , ,

The Business of “Growing” Successfully

Ruel Jones

While I always hoped I’d be in the international banking business, I found my niche in nature, though ironically there are similarities.
Understanding how a plant operates is the key component to providing proper year-round care, much the same as with operating a successful business.
A tree is like a company, which has employees both below ground (roots) and above ground (leaves), and both play vital roles. A tree stores money (energy) in its fibers and cells just like a company does with a savings or checking account. In the spring this living, breathing company uses last year’s stored savings to build new leaves, or what we might call next year’s “employees” for the growing season. All winter long this plant was spend-ing money on root development to support the group of employees that will soon be coming on. After the leaves are built, they are now ready to start making money for the company to use in a new growth development season, while at the same time, of course, refilling the savings account now low due to all the money the company spent developing the current roots and leaves.
That is basically how a plant works. The leaves support the roots and the roots sup-port the leaves in a symbiotic relationship. The margin or profit from these two groups of employees is what the company uses each year for new growth.
Improper pruning or care of your trees and plants can cause them to dig further down into their “savings account” and spend more money to create additional leaves to do necessary work. The plant knows that without the proper amount of leaves doing the job and making money, the company will soon be filling Chapter 7.
So in the end, though the company’s name is Quality Tree Surgery, some might con-sider us in the financial and banking business for trees!

Landscape Pros

· February 16, 2011 · 1:14 am · Employees, Lawn care, , , , , , , , ,

Meet our Landscape Professionals!

Curt Watson and Jesse Ragan

Our Landscaping Division Offers:

Full Service Maintenance

Turf Programs

Leaf Removal

Installation of Trees and Shrubs

Mulching

And Landscaping Enhancements

Something you should know

· February 15, 2011 · 2:15 pm · Did You Know?, Employees, Misc., , , ,

Something You Should Know…

Twenty seven years ago when I started this tree care company, I had no idea I was lined up for a roller coaster ride of Feast or Famine as a career.  That’s right; a roller coaster job is putting it lightly because in the spring and summer, wonderful volumes of work come in like nobody’s business but then come the winter months where starvation and poverty-stricken days show up and surround us like buzzards on road kill.

Getting a tree job is like standing in a soup line with only enough food for half the people and everyone cutting corners to get in front.  It’s too funny I’m telling you!  I catch myself laughing at the irony of why in the world anyone would start a tree care company  – “Just kidding”.

Anyhow, facts are, the best time of year for tree operations are the winter months when trees are in a kind of sleep mode or should I say, “taking a rest and gearing up for the next growing season.”

Not only is it better for the tree but winter pruning is easier because it’s easier to see limbs without leaves blocking the view of dead or unproductive branches.  Pruning off undesirable live material is better because the tree hasn’t spent all that energy growing leaves.  It’s almost always more cost effective because of factors like less debris to clean up and no delicate flowers growing up under the trees to work around, of course,  there is less of a work load which means no over time hours.

Fact is, winter months are hands down the best time of year to have tree work performed regardless of what kind of maintenance it is, and,  of course,  above all other reasons,  the best time to have any kind of work done is when you are ready.  It’s not necessary to wait until spring or summer. If you have tree work to do and you are in a position to have it done, do it now; by doing so, you will probably save money, as well.

Ruel Jones

Frost Damage & Turf Care

· February 15, 2011 · 2:09 pm · Lawn care, , , , , ,

Frost Damage & Turf Care…

By:  Jeff Stokes

Jeff Stokes

What happens to your lawn when we get a hard freeze during the winter months?

First of all like most plants, turf grass (fescue) is made up of a large portion of water.  So when we get sub 32 degree temperatures, the plant cells inside the grass freeze or crystallize.  This is what causes the fescue to turn brown during the cold months.  It is not dead!  DO NOT WORRY!!!…It may look completely brown, but once we get some warmer soil temperatures, it will grow out of this condition.  The early fertilizer applications will aid in this process.

Have you noticed footprints in the lawn?  This is simply where the lawn has been walked across while the grass is frozen;  the plant cells are broken when stepped on thus leaving footprints…Again do not worry!  The turf grass will grow out of this and recover nicely.Frost Damage

Steve Cooley

· February 14, 2011 · 8:49 pm · Employees, Lawn care, Tree care, , , , , , ,

LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED

Steve Cooley

Steve Cooley

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) announces that Steve Cooley of Quality Tree Surgery, Inc.,  in Nashville, Tennessee, has earned the Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician and is now nationally certified.

Candidates pass two extensive exams covering the care of trees and shrubs in residential and commercial landscapes.  Those achieving this certification have expertise in a wide selection of plants used in area landscapes and can recognize pest problems and other factors that stress ornamental foliage.  Successful candidates understand the need to carefully observe foliage for the subtle signs that signal a situation to be controlled before it becomes overwhelming or uncontrollable.

Certification enhances an individual’s professionalism, demonstrates a sense of personal achievement, and increases respect and recognition in the profession.

Prepare for the Holidays

· November 5, 2010 · 7:17 pm · Lawn care, Tree care, , , , ,

Jesse & Jeff 003

Prepare for the Holidays

What a relief!  With the last two scorching summers that seriously had me questioning my profession, this cooler version in ‘09 was a big relief to say the least. My

anticipation for fall is still calling, but nothing compared to ‘07 and ‘08.

While enjoying the cooler weather, fall colors  and tailgating, keep in mind there is no better  time to plant than in the fall. Tree and shrub roots are working all winter long while the rest of the plant is dormant. This allows the plant more time to get established,  improving survival rate and speed of growth.

Fall and winter is also a great time to touch up your mulch and give the shrubs one last trim-up. Although we can’t make your favorite team win, we can help your yard look good for the holidays. Go ahead and get on the schedule early, and GO VOLS!!!

By: Jesse Ragan

The Long Race of Summer!

· August 5, 2010 · 3:16 pm · Lawn care, Misc., Tree care, , , , ,

Imagine if you will, a group of racehorses
pacing in a field. They look eager for the
run; it has been a long off-season. You
can see the restlessness in their eyes, the
anxiousness in their body movements.
You can almost see them speaking with
one another, conversing about the challengesQuality Tree Surgery, Inc.
to come and the obstacles to hurdle
over. As they gallop in the field and
spring around the practice track, you can
tell that they are driven beyond something
of duty, they are driven by a passion. Isn’t
this what makes them great and why they
are so quick and efficient on the track?
That love of the race?
They are no different than us, the workers of Quality Tree, Turf
and Landscape. When the long season ended last year and the
days became shorter and cooler we were relieved and enjoyed the
lighter, shorter work weeks! But not anymore. With spring comes
that anxiousness, that drive to once again put our skills and performance
to work. Yes, you can see it in our eyes; that push. Yes,
like an eager racehorse we have begun to pace. And why not?
This is what we love, this is our passion. You may see us during
our race in your yard, looking tired and exhausted, but also you will
see a deep satisfaction. You will see smiling faces streaked with
dirt and sweat and maybe even a thankfulness to do a job so rewarding.
For once again we are in our element – going the distance.
We are now beating our hooves on the ground waiting for the gunshot
to ring out so we may once more run the long race of spring
and summer.

By Joe Giansante

What is my Landscape Worth?

· July 12, 2010 · 8:48 pm · Lawn care, Tree care, , , ,

Most people are aware that trees and other living plants are valuable. They provide beauty to our properties, manufacture oxygen, reduce rain-fall runoff, provide sound barriers, and help us save energy by provid-ing cool shade in the summer and reducing the harsh winds in the winter. However, trees and other landscape plants are a part of your property and have a dollar value that can be measured by competent plant appraisers.
A U.S. Forest study conducted in Amherst, Massachusetts shows that real-estate appraisers estimated that trees contributed as much as 27 % increase in dollars for two thirds wooded compared to open land with no plants. Another study by Arbor National Mortgage, Inc., revealed that “ 84 % of the real estate agents feel a house on a lot with trees would be as much as 20 % more saleable than a house on a lot with no trees.” (Arbor National Mortgage 1993).
If you have trees or shrubs that have been damaged or destroyed, you may be able to recapture your loss through insurance claims, litigation, or as a deduction from your income tax. The extent of damage and how the damage occurred will determine which avenues are available to you to compensate for the lost value. If you have a portion of your property condemned for right of ways, utility easements or other condemnation proceedings, the value of any trees and shrubs on that portion of your property should be considered in determining your compensation for the loss of that property. In the event of a loss or damage to your landscape, you should obtain a written appraisal by a qualified plant appraiser to insure that you are properly compensated for the dollar value of your landscape.
Kim Cross

25.00 Off Discount

· June 21, 2010 · 9:52 pm · Discounts/Coupons, Lawn care, Tree care, , , ,

Click here for $25.00 Off!

What is Going on With My Lawn?

· December 19, 2009 · 10:54 am · Lawn care, , , ,

Even our most faithful turf management customers have problems with their lawns dur-ing this time of year. You may recognize some of the follow-ing most asked questions dur-ing July and August:
What are all those little brown dead looking circles all over my lawn?
There is a fungus among us—Brown Patch—and it‟s the reason for those little brown dead looking circles all over your lawn. This fungus thrives in steamy, moist environments that are brought about in our area by afternoon thunder-showers or supplemental wa-tering late in the day. This late afternoon rainfall/watering causes the fungus to spread like wildfire. Brown Patch can be treated both preventatively and curatively, but it is expen-sive and requires three applica-tions of fungicide.
Why is my lawn brown and dead looking?
The answer to this question is our harsh summer climate. Middle Tennessee is directly in the center of the area referred to as the transition zone. The transition zone refers to the northern most growing limits for warm season grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, versus the southern most growing limits for cool season grasses, such as Tall Fescue and Ken-tucky Bluegrass. Most home-owners are objectionable to Bermuda grass and Zoysia be-cause they turn brown in the
early winter. Most homeown-ers choose Tall Fescue which is a cool season grass. By defi-nition a “cool season grass” is a turfgrass species adapted to favorable growth during cooler weather (60-75). Cool sea-son grasses may become dor-mant or injured during hot weather. In the dormant state, Tall Fescue looks brown and dead. The grass goes into sur-vival mode where the plant sacrifices shoot growth above ground and focuses all of its energy to maintain life in the root system below ground. Some of the grass will recover in the fall when the heat sub-sides, however a portion of the lawn will die each summer.
So what’s the magic solu-tion?
Unfortunately, there is no „magic solution.‟ However, you can lessen the problems by following these simple steps:
1) Replenish—(September/October) Overseed yearly to replace grass that died during the harsh summer months. Use the best possible Tall Fescue Seed Blend you can find—Not all Fescue is created equal! 2) Fertilize—Timing is critical! Too much nitrogen late in the season can make brown patch fungus worse. 3) Water—Regularly! Lawns need an average of 1″ per week to survive. Mornings are best. 4) Spray—To eliminate weeds
competing with your grass for nutrients and water, and to control diseases like Brown Patch.
Remember, Tall Fescue is the most popular choice because it will give you good results for three (Fall, Winter & Spring) of the four seasons. It will always struggle during our Summer months. This is simply the nature of our Middle Tennessee climate here in the transition zone.
Bottom line is if you are looking for a nice Fescue lawn, it is not an easy process with a one-time expense. It will require consistent care year after year and most importantly fall overseeding (September and October are ideal months for overseeding) to replinish the grass lost during the summer months.■

lawnhouse Even our most faithful turf management customers have problems with their lawns dur-ing this time of year. You may recognize some of the follow-ing most asked questions dur-ing July and August:

What are all those little brown dead looking circles all over my lawn?
There is a fungus among us—Brown Patch—and it‟s the reason for those little brown dead looking circles all over your lawn. This fungus thrives in steamy, moist environments that are brought about in our area by afternoon thunder-showers or supplemental wa-tering late in the day. This late afternoon rainfall/watering causes the fungus to spread like wildfire. Brown Patch can be treated both preventatively and curatively, but it is expen-sive and requires three applica-tions of fungicide.
Why is my lawn brown and dead looking?
The answer to this question is our harsh summer climate. Middle Tennessee is directly in the center of the area referred to as the transition zone. The transition zone refers to the northern most growing limits for warm season grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, versus the southern most growing limits for cool season grasses, such as Tall Fescue and Ken-tucky Bluegrass. Most home-owners are objectionable to Bermuda grass and Zoysia be-cause they turn brown in the
early winter. Most homeown-ers choose Tall Fescue which is a cool season grass. By defi-nition a “cool season grass” is a turfgrass species adapted to favorable growth during cooler weather (60-75). Cool sea-son grasses may become dor-mant or injured during hot weather. In the dormant state, Tall Fescue looks brown and dead. The grass goes into sur-vival mode where the plant sacrifices shoot growth above ground and focuses all of its energy to maintain life in the root system below ground. Some of the grass will recover in the fall when the heat sub-sides, however a portion of the lawn will die each summer.
So what’s the magic solu-tion?
Unfortunately, there is no „magic solution.‟ However, you can lessen the problems by following these simple steps:
1) Replenish—(September/October) Overseed yearly to replace grass that died during the harsh summer months. Use the best possible Tall Fescue Seed Blend you can find—Not all Fescue is created equal! 2) Fertilize—Timing is critical! Too much nitrogen late in the season can make brown patch fungus worse. 3) Water—Regularly! Lawns need an average of 1″ per week to survive. Mornings are best. 4) Spray—To eliminate weeds
competing with your grass for nutrients and water, and to control diseases like Brown Patch.
Remember, Tall Fescue is the most popular choice because it will give you good results for three (Fall, Winter & Spring) of the four seasons. It will always struggle during our Summer months. This is simply the nature of our Middle Tennessee climate here in the transition zone.
Bottom line is if you are looking for a nice Fescue lawn, it is not an easy process with a one-time expense. It will require consistent care year after year and most importantly fall overseeding (September and October are ideal months for overseeding) to replinish the grass lost during the summer months.■
Gary Claiborne

Mosquito Madness

· December 19, 2009 · 10:25 am · Lawn care, Pests, , , ,

Have you heard about the West Nile Virus? Read up! It‟s interesting . . . .
Who’s Most at Risk
 People over age 50
 Anyone with a weakened immune system
Symptoms
Incubation period (time from infection to onset of symptoms) is usually 3 to 15 days.
 Fever
 Headache and body aches
 Skin rash & swollen lymph nodes
More severe infections:
 Disorientation/Stupor
 Tremors & convulsions
 Muscle weakness or paralysis
 Coma
Prevention Tips
 Get rid of buckets, unused plastic pools, flowerpots, or other water-holding items
 Clean out rain gutters and clear flat roofs of standing water
 Eliminate puddles around your air conditioner or septic tank
 Check tarps on boats or pools to make sure they aren‟t holding water
 Use insect repellents—ones containing DEET and permethrin are most effective, according to Consumer Reports. DEET does not kill bugs, but the vapors discourage them from landing or climbing on you. These products are considered safe for adults and children age 2 months and older.■
Do You Have a Mosquito Problem?
Did You Know that We Can Treat Your Lawn, Shrubs &
Dense Brushy Areas to Reduce Populations?
Call for More Details!

mosquitoHave you heard about the West Nile Virus? Read up! It‟s interesting . . . .

Who’s Most at Risk

 People over age 50

 Anyone with a weakened immune system

Symptoms

Incubation period (time from infection to onset of symptoms) is usually 3 to 15 days.

 Fever

 Headache and body aches

 Skin rash & swollen lymph nodes

More severe infections:

 Disorientation/Stupor

 Tremors & convulsions

 Muscle weakness or paralysis

 Coma

Prevention Tips

 Get rid of buckets, unused plastic pools, flowerpots, or other water-holding items

 Clean out rain gutters and clear flat roofs of standing water

 Eliminate puddles around your air conditioner or septic tank

 Check tarps on boats or pools to make sure they aren‟t holding water

 Use insect repellents—ones containing DEET and permethrin are most effective, according to Consumer Reports. DEET does not kill bugs, but the vapors discourage them from landing or climbing on you. These products are considered safe for adults and children age 2 months and older.■

Do You Have a Mosquito Problem?

Did You Know that We Can Treat Your Lawn, Shrubs &

Dense Brushy Areas to Reduce Populations?

Call for More Details!

Ruel Jones

Why Healthy Trees Fall

· December 14, 2009 · 7:37 pm · Misc., Tree care, , , ,

Ruels Pictures 2009 032In most cases tree failure is directly linked to some kind of decay, either in the root system or above ground in the frame of the tree. Losing a tree to these problems is more acceptable but to lose a

perfectly healthy tree due to a structural weakness is saddening. Not only do you lose a tree, the clean air it provides and the money or time to clean it up, you also lose all the years it takes to get another tree that size. And to add salt to the wound in most cases these trees could have been protected by bracing with cables and or bolts.

Structural weaknesses are usually easily spotted, it just takes a few minutes to walk the property and visually inspect the trees for sharp angled crotches. Look at the picture, if your trees have crotches that look similar to this you might need to have us come out and take a second look. There is no charge for doing a walk through inspection and even if you can’t take care of the problem immediately at least you have information to address it when you can.

By: Ruel Jones

Want A Fast Tree?

· December 8, 2009 · 7:18 pm · Tree care, , ,

image003

Want A Fast Tree?

In the fall of 2004 I was called to the site of a customer in Franklin whose home had tragically burned. The fire had been so hot that many of the surrounding trees were severely damaged by heat. One of which was a large Pawlonia tree, an introduced Asian tree species whose seedling were sprouting up all over  the footprint of the soon to be rebuilt home. I used what I could to wrestle a small one from the earth and took it home and planted it near the street by my

driveway.  It sent up a shoot the

following spring which my wife broke off thinking it was a weed. Fearing the worst, I waited and watched until in early June a new shoot emerged.

That year this Pawlonia tree grew 12 feet tall with leaves larger than a lunch room tray! The freeze of 2007 was a set back but it soon picked up growing again.

In 2010 it promises to bloom for the first time. You can see the flower buds it has set for the coming spring. They have a

beautiful light purple color. As you look at it, remember it has only been growing in this place since June of 2005…So if you want a fast growing beautiful flowering tree, a Pawlonia may be an option to look for you!

image002

By: Larry Loiseau

Smothered and Covered

· December 2, 2009 · 7:10 pm · Lawn care, , , ,

0410310920281season_of_fallen_leaves_tSmothered and covered, like a really good hamburger that clogs up your arteries. Leaves that cover your turf are much the same way. They clog off sunlight, oxygen, and down right smother the grass.

Nobody has time to rake leaves on a daily basis nor is that needed. Simply once a week, or at least every other weekend rake, blow, or even mow the leaves. Remember, having leaves on the ground is going to happen and a few rarely damage anything! However, when they become so thick you can’t even see the grass you have a problem!

So please, enjoy the fall colors and remember the poor turf out there working to survive.

By: Jeff Stokes

How A tree Works

· October 21, 2009 · 9:54 pm · Tree care, , , , , , , , , ,

Trees are much like a Company, each leaf is an employee of the company and each one makes money by means of photosynthesis, in short its making starches and sugars and sending them down to the company. The company in turn directs this energy we’ll call Money to where it’s needed most. There is also another group of employees under ground, these are the roots. Roots cannot live without support of the upper employees and the upper employees can’t live without the roots. These two groups work in a symbiotic relationship with each other. As the leaves are manufacturing sugars and starches and sweating like a horse they call for water and countless other nutrients from the roots. As the roots work profusely gathering up all these nutrients and water for their fellow companions they are calling for starches and sugars.The company (tree) is dealing with all kinds of other issues such as the chemical supply it uses to compartmentalize a wound or cavity. These wound areas harbor the most deadly enemy a tree has other than us humans, (funguses) a fungus will steadily eat away at the tree unless it is walled off by a chemical compound and the healthier a tree the more of this chemical it can make. Also the company is in charge of how much growth it puts on for the season and this is determined by how well the two groups of employees are doing making money. Not much money means not much growth, not to mention the fact that its defenses are low as well, making it more vulnerable for attack, not just by fungus but by insects as well. It’s not hard to see that by removing large numbers of employees on either side of the company can affect a tree dramatically. As in any large company there are slackers (I bet you have worked with a few) and branches that are not operating or growing in the best direction for the long term future of the company. This is one way large companies stay strong, they hire consultants to come in and evaluate the company and its employees and prune out the branches of employees that are slackers and hurting the overall long term growth.
Trees are extremely resilient and are able to tolerate unbelievable living conditions in most cases, although when we see a dead tree, basically what has happened, for what ever the reason, the company has gone bankrupt. Its savings account went empty and trees don’t operate on the welfare program, if you’re a tree you are all on your own.

Ruel Jones, President

Quality Tree Surgery, Inc.

What is my Landscape Worth?

· October 21, 2009 · 9:51 pm · Lawn care, Tree care, , , , ,

Most people are aware that trees and other living plants are valuable. They provide beauty to our properties, manufacture oxygen, reduce rainfall runoff, provide sound barriers, and help us save energy by providing cool shade in the summer and reducing the harsh winds in the winter. However, trees and other landscape plants are a part of your property and have a dollar value that can be measured by competent plant appraisers.
A U.S. Forest study conducted in Amherst, Massachusetts shows that real-estate appraisers estimated that trees contributed as much as 27 % increase in dollars for two thirds wooded compared to open land with no plants. Another study by Arbor National Mortgage, Inc., revealed that “ 84 % of the real estate agents feel a house on a lot with trees would be as much as 20 % more saleable than a house on a lot with no trees.” (Arbor National Mortgage 1993).
If you have trees or shrubs that have been damaged or destroyed, you may be able to recapture your loss through insurance claims, litigation, or as a deduction from your income tax. The extent of damage and how the damage occurred will determine which avenues are available to you to compensate for the lost value. If you have a portion of your property condemned for right of ways, utility easements or other condemnation proceedings, the value of any trees and shrubs on that portion of your property should be considered in determining your compensation for the loss of that property. In the event of a loss or damage to your landscape, you should obtain a written appraisal by a qualified terrain appraiser to insure that you are properly compensated for the dollar value of your landscape.

Should you use tree wound dressing?

· October 21, 2009 · 9:41 pm · Tree care, , ,

It has long been believed that tree paint or tree wound dressing applied to the open wound of a tree will help keep insects out and prevent decay by fungi. This method of treatment for helping trees is far from correct. Studies have found that tree wound dressings are of no benefit to the tree and in many cases harmful to the natural defense system. Save money and help your trees – leave wound dressings on the shelf!