Blossoming cherries, Prunus serrulata, stun in gardens throughout the temperate zone every springtime. Bursting into a stunning show of pale to dark pink blooms, the trees – also known as Japanese Cherries or Oriental Cherries – are a beloved of parks, government buildings, and private residences across the world.

So naturally, we’re in love with them too. I mean, we are all about the trees. Here are three of our favorite facts to celebrate the floral explosion this spring.

1. The First “Real” Blossoming Cherry Arrived in 1912

The first “real” cherry blossom tree – with those huge pink blooms that stun as winter makes its exit – actually didn’t get here until 1912 (after a diseased first attempt in 1910), explains the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The 3,000 trees in that batch, planted in DC, symbolized the friendship between the United States and Japan.

That’s not to say there aren’t native versions, because there are, including the black cherry, rum cherry, and chokecherry. However, while these trees are superficially related to the vibrant blossoming versions we know today, they wouldn’t be recognized as such if you weren’t looking for them.

2. The Blossoming Cherry Is a Versatile Plant

Although its flowers look incredibly delicate, the blossoming cherry is actually a pretty hardy plant. Not only do its buds break while the cold weather still rules the land, but it can grow in a variety of settings. It tolerates partial shade, though flowers better in full sun, and can handle medium moisture, so you don’t have to worry about drainage like you do with some other trees.

In the Atlanta area, temperatures are almost never cold enough to harm a cherry tree, though occasionally it may flower before a frost and the blossoms will suffer.

3. Blooms Are Unpredictable!

It’s impossible to predict too far in advance when the trees will bud and bloom. That’s why the National Park Service offers a Bloom Watch for its DC trees, so if you’re planning to visit the capitol’s cherry landmark, you can try to target your trip better. If the blooms will occur in your own backyard, well then, all you need to do is look forward to a nice surprise!

Love blossoming cherry trees as much as we do? Then you’re sure to want to keep them healthy. Don’t wait to clear out that dead branch or clean up those suckers popping up at the bases of your trees. With the right TLC, you can keep them blooming for decades.

Get in touch with family-owned and -operated Premier Tree Solutions and set up an appointment for tree care and maintenance throughout your yard, and enjoy a beautiful, blossom-scented springtime! If you’d like to learn more about us and how we can help you, please get in touch and contact us here.

We think of trees as lovely additions to a yard’s verdant green space, and usually, they are. Sometimes, however, they become decidedly unlovely, or downright dangerous. Even if they don’t go marching off to war like Tolkien’s Ents, they can still cause serious damage if you fail to keep them in line.

Tactic Numero Uno? Pruning. Here are six signs you need to pull out those shears and get trimmin’ today.

1. Deadwood

Deadwood – parts of the tree that are gray or brown, and have stopped growing altogether – can fall out of the tree at any moment. This is extremely dangerous for people and property, so it’s critical you prune it out right away.

2. Cracks, Splits, Breaks

Cracks, splits, breaks, and other wounds are also signs that the tree may be compromised, making it more likely to drop branches. Again, prune immediately.

3. Roving Branches

Sometimes roving branches just grow in the wrong direction and get in the way. This might be simply annoying, or it can be hazardous, especially if branches are growing into telephone wires, near fuse boxes, etc.

4. Unappealing Shape

All trees have a natural shape, and pruning helps them maintain it best. This isn’t always intuitive, but online pruning guides can help you get a visual image of the proper methods of pruning trees, or you can ask an expert.

5. Multiple Leaders

A leader is the trees vertical, topmost branch that runs up along the line of the trunk. Each tree should only have one. If it has more, you must remove the other(s), or else the tree will compete with itself. This makes it less healthy and less beautiful.

6. Area Overgrowth

Sometimes a tree just gets too big for its spot. Many times people plant trees based on what they look like as saplings or juveniles and don’t take into account what will happen when they reach full growth. In that case, you may need to move the tree or remove it all together.

Of course, it’s often not possible to move a tree yourself – or even to trim them safely. If you need help, call Premier Tree Solutions, your amiable Atlanta arbor assistant. We offer tree trimming, pruning and removal, as well as storm cleanup, branch clearing, stump grinding, and more. If you’d like to learn more about us and how we can help you, please get in touch and contact us here.

Get to know Georgia’s beautiful array of trees and how you can take care of your own! Each month, we feature some of the most popular trees in the state. For January, we are showcasing the American Holly. Learn all about American Holly trees below!

 

It’s that time of year again.

The lights come down. The clove-studded oranges have to go (although if you made clove-studded oranges, you deserve to take a picture and frame it). The Christmas tree is on its last legs, and goodbye is imminent.

But you want to do the goodbye right, disposing of your tree in the smart, environmentally friendly way. Here are a few of the best options.

1. Recycle Curbside

If you live in a neighborhood or suburb that picks up trees for yard debris, go ahead and throw it out on the curb. However, beware that if you only have garbage pickup, the tree will head to landfill, where it will rot instead of decomposing, not helping the environment.

2. Put It in a Wood Chipper

Trees make great mulch, which protects your plants, shrubs, and other trees all through winter. If you have a wood chipper, cut the tree up and pass it through. You can also do garlands and wreaths.

If you don’t have a chipper, just saw the trees individual branches off and lay them on the ground to protect the roots of other plants. You can then chop the tree up for firewood (though beware, most sappy trees will snap and pop, so use a fireplace screen).

3. Make a Winter Bird Shelter

You know who doesn’t mind a dead evergreen tree? Birds who are busy preparing nests for springtime and babies. Put your tree outside, upright, and wait for feathery cuties to move on in.

Want to take the cuteness to the next level? Rodale recommends you hang ornaments made of suet and seed from its branches.

4. Hand It Off to a Yard Debris Cleanup Crew

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is just set the tree in an out-of-the-way location and wait for someone else to deal with it – preferably your trusty maintenance crew.

And hey, while you’re at it, why not clean up the yard a bit? Premier Tree Solutions is the friendly, local business to call. We serve the Atlanta area with a huge number of tree- and yard-related services, including tree and stump removal, branch trimming, storm (and Christmas tree) cleanup and more. All you have to do is give a shout at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.

Even in traditionally warm parts of the country, the winter can bring some pretty dang severe weather. If you’re worried about your trees when Jack Frost starts to bite, here are several steps to take to ensure they stay safe over the long haul. So put on those earmuffs and go make sure your woody winners are safe!

1. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!

Mulch performs a huge variety of tree-related services. It keeps water in, prevents weeds from growing and competing for resources (or looking unsightly), and protects delicate roots near the surface from animals. However, one of its most important tasks is to keep soil warm. This makes it much less likely that roots will die off, which in turn ensures the tree’s ability to get enough water.

2. Water Before a Cold Front Hits

Did you know trees are almost as susceptible to drying out in winter as in summer? Even though the sun’s heat doesn’t beat down this time of year, the air is often very dry. Without the protective humidity, trees give up tons of water through their leaves, which can then dry out and curl up, damaging or even killing trees … especially if they’re young.

Watering before a cold spell can help a lot. Not only does this ensure your tree is hydrated, it protects roots, since moist soil retains and radiates heat much more effectively than dry dirt. Get a soil probe and use this guide to ensure you water to the proper depth.

3. Wrap Trunks

Trees suffer damage when temperatures alternate between warmth and cold. The former makes them expand, while the latter shrinks them, resulting in cracking.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of the best ways to protect trees is to wrap their trunks. This is especially important with young trees or those that have very thin bark (think birches, for example). You can get wraps at a garden supply store or order them online. Be sure to wrap trunks before the cold rolls in, and leave them on throughout the winter.

Want help protecting your treasured trees? Call in the experts here at Premier Tree Solutions in Atlanta. We help maintain trees in a variety of ways, including trimming and pruning, storm clean up and first aid, branch clearing, and more. Get in touch with us today! Give us a call at 404-252-6448 or contact us here.