1. All about pavers
2. What a retaining wall does
3. Installing a front-yard design
4. Designing your yard
5. Replacing a wood deck for a stone patio
6. The value of landscaping
7. Removing concrete for anything else
8. Hardscape on a slope
9. When should trees be trimmed
10. What is a tree emergency
11. Replacing a driveway
12. Repairing a driveway
13. Fancy stonework in a driveway
14. Stone steps
15. Slate sidewalks
16. Why you should landscape
17. Landscaping around your pool
18. Ourdoor entertainment space
19. Stone block vs. slate
20. Holiday lights installed
21. When to cable a tree
22. A few words about drainage
23. What is property management
24. Why remove stumps
25. About wood fences
26. About metal fences
27. Why hire a plow
28. Why hire yard maintenance
29. What to expect with a new lawn installation
30. Seed vs sod
31. Buying bulk mulch instead of bags
BLOG 1
When to trim trees
(photo 100_1591.jpg in sites>planting areas>*landscaping)
If you have a tree that has been damaged, arrange for pruning as soon as possible. The same holds true for dead or diseased branches.
For all other trees in this area, the best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring, before the tree begins to open its buds and when the tree is dormant. Also, there are fewer active insects to infest an open wound. Pruning acts as a signal for the tree to grow.
The exception to this rule is for trees and shrubs that bloom in the spring. These should be pruned right after they bloom.
Also, walk around your house and see if any trees are too close to the structure. Squirrels and other animals use branches as bridges to climb onto your roof to look for ways inside. Branches too close to the house can brush against the siding during a storm, and cause damage.
Pruning large trees requires a professional, and E.R. Baisley Tree and Landscaping has more than 35 years of experience in the tree industry. From planting to removal, E.R. Baisley can help you keep your trees healthy and happy. Properly pruned trees are valuable not only to the ecology but to the value of your home.
Most trees need to be pruned every year to remove branches that have died during the winter or to properly shape branches that have grown in the previous season.
BLOG 2
(use photo 100_0233.jpg in sites>art>driveways)
Does your asphalt driveway need replacing?
Most driveways in this area are asphalt. They are common here because of our freeze-thaw cycle. If your driveway was installed properly and the drainage is good, your driveway should last between 20-25 years, especially if the driveway was sealed every few years in the fall. The amount of traffic your driveway sees, and the weight of vehicles using it, also contribute to its lifespan.
Eventually, though, a driveway will need to be replaced. But how do you know when?
If your driveway has sinkholes, many spiderweb cracks, a collection of wider cracks and potholes on at least half of it, the time is now to look into replacement. A crumbling driveway may lead to liability issues, and is very difficult to plow or shovel.
E.R. Baisley Tree and Landscape has been replacing and repairing asphalt driveways in the Hudson Valley for more than 35 years.
Sometimes, when we give an estimate for a driveway replacement, we find that it can be resurfaced or repaired, rather than replaced. The only way to know is to have an expert take a look. If your driveway gets too cracked, it will not be able to be repaired, so it’s always better to call as soon as you notice excessive wear and tear.
Driveways can be replaced at any time of the year the ground is not frozen or covered in snow.
BLOG 3
Use photos Edged in block.jpg (in sites>art>driveways>asphalt driveways)
And two tones.jpg (in sites>art>driveways>stone driveways)
Some different types of driveways
Even though asphalt (also called blacktop) driveways are the most common type of driveway seen in the Hudson Valley, there are other options from which to choose.
Some homeowners prefer paver brick driveways. While these are the most expensive to install, they require the least amount of upkeep and last far longer than alternatives.
Still others prefer gravel driveways. These are often created by grading the earth and putting down Item 4 or other stone pieces. Then a smaller gravel is placed on top. These are the most inexpensive driveways to install, but they have limitations when it snows and require the most upkeep. The small pieces also have a tendency to scatter.
Driveways can also be a combination—asphalt and decorative stone, for example.
Concrete driveways are another choice, but because of the freeze-thaw cycle in our area, these don’t always weather well. Also, you must wait at least a week before driving on it so it can cure.
Whatever type of driveway you want, E.R. Baisley Tree and Landscape can help you decide and then create the final product.
BLOG 4
Why remove tree stumps?
There’s no rule that says you have to remove a stump when you remove a tree or a tree falls on its own. But there are many reasons why you might want to consider removing that stump anyway.
Stumps are ugly and take away from a polished landscape. They are hard to maneuver around when you’re mowing or raking, and if you have children playing in the yard they can be tripping hazards.
Some stumps regrow new trees, not just one tree. From the stump of a single tree, you can sometimes find dozens (or more) of shoots. This means you have to either constantly cut back the shoots, or find some chemical way to kill them.
As stumps rot, they can become home to many insects. Termites can take up residence in a rotting stump, and you don’t know when or if they’ll move into your home. Sometimes bees can nest in a rotting stump. Remember that if you drill holes in a stump and expect it to rot away, it may be your grandchildren who benefit from your actions.
E.R. Baisley Tree and Landscaping has more than 35 years of experience removing stumps. When the stump is gone, E.R. Baisley can fill in the hole with new soil and seed, or work with you to repair your landscape as you desire.