How to Choose a Tree Nursery

By Nancy Penrose

So you want to get a tree planted in your landscape to gain the benefits of shade, beauty, temperature reduction and more. How do you select a tree nursery? What are the most important points to look for?

Both new and experienced gardeners rely upon a well-run and informative nursery for all their tree and landscaping needs. Picking a tree nursery that is reputable and has healthy zone appropriate trees can be the key to a successful landscaping project.

  • They should have a wide selection of trees for you to look at. The selection should include privacy trees, fall colors trees, deciduous, evergreen, flowering, and specimen trees.
  • They have both young and mature trees for you to choose from, and can transplant either from their nursery to your landscape, including large trees.
  • They are knowledgeable about trees and can advise you on the best selection for your situation.
  • They know and can advise you on what trees work best in your part of the country.
  • They can tell you the size and growth rate of different trees, plus their preference in how much light and water they need.
  • They have a good reputation in the community.
  • Ideally they have a website that has information on a wide variety of trees, including pictures, plus info on size and growth rate, light and water needs, fall colors for deciduous trees, and flower characteristics.

Good luck on your tree planting projects.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

7 Great “Specimen” Trees for Your Landscape

A “specimen” tree is defined as a tree chosen as a point of focus in a landscape. It usually has an unusual shape, texture, color or other feature that distinguishes it from other trees and shrubs in your landscape.

Here are 7 great specimen trees that could provide the perfect focus of attention in your yard.

Japanese Maple
Japanese maple trees can provide a striking focal point in your landscape. They are generally grown for their attractive foliage and shape. Mature trees are up to 25’ tall and 25’ wide. There are hundreds of Japanese maple varieties that come in various sizes with a large assortment of leaf shapes and colors.  The leaves are typically red or green in the spring and summer, and then fade before their fall color explodes to bright red, yellow or orange.  Add some up lighting down below to really accentuate the branch structure at night.

Korean Dogwood
Cornus kousa, commonly called Kousa dogwood, is a small, deciduous flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub that typically grows 15-30’ tall, with a vase-shaped habit in the early years but eventually maturing to a more rounded form. Bloom occurs in late spring or early summer. The showy parts of the Kousa dogwood “flower” (3-5” across) are the four narrowly pointed petal-like white bracts which surround the center cluster of insignificant, yellowish-green, true flowers.  Varieties have either pink or off-white flowers.

Acer Palmatum Dissectum
This round, mound-forming, deciduous Japanese maple has many qualities that make it an excellent garden plant, including a sculptural form, deeply cut foliage, arching shoots, and orange to bright red autumn color. Often, the branch structure can be stunning – making it a beautiful tree even in the winter.

Crape Myrtle
The Crape Myrtle is known for its striking summer flowers and handsome bark.  There are many different kinds of varieties, but the average height is 10-25’ and width 15-20’.  Flower colors range in shades of pink, red, lavender or white and fall color ranges from yellow to orange to red.  The exfoliating bark as it peels, bares handsome shades of brown and grey.  Up lighting will really accentuate this at night!

Parrotia
The Parrotia tree’s main feature is its fall color.  Typically, they are a vibrant mix of yellow, orange and red all at the same time. It has small maroonish, reddish flowers in spring, but not very significant.  The Parrotia can get 30’ tall and 15-20’ wide.  It’s a very hardy tree and pest resistant as well.  They come in single trunk and multi-trunk.

Stewartia Pseudocamillia
The Stewartia ‘Pseudocamillia’ tree is a beautiful, deciduous tree with green leaves, early summer flowers, a mix of fall color and stunning patchwork bark with cream and brown colors.  The flowers are white and camellia shaped and the fall colors range from yellow to orange to red – often all at the same time. They like damp, well-draining soils and are suitable to smaller gardens.  A full sun scenario can lead to leaf tip burn, so pick a partially sunny area in your yard, and up light it to show off the bark.

Ginkgo
The Ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species in the world, dating back before even dinosaurs roamed the earth.  It’s a slow growing tree known mainly for its fall color.  They have distinctive fan shaped green leaves that turn a bright yellow in the fall.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Big Trees Inc Helps Reorganize Homeowner’s Entire Yard

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc, (https://bigtreesupply.com) a tree nursery and tree transplant company in the Seattle area, was hired recently to revamp a homeowner’s entire yard, mostly by repurposing existing trees and shrubs from the property.

Large bushes of rhododendrons in colorful bloom. Northwest, end of May.

The established yard in an older neighborhood of Seattle had many large Rhododendrons and upright Japanese Maples. Unfortunately, they were planted all over the backyard in random spaces leaving very little open space for a lawn or play area. The homeowner did not want to lose these established specimen trees, but they did not fit into his vision of an open space where his children could play.

The homeowner contacted Big Trees about moving the trees somewhere else on the property, and after a site visit, came up with a plan. Big Trees was able to move ten large rhododendrons from the middle of the yard, to the perimeter of the property. The effect was an open backyard, surrounded by large rhododendrons mixed into existing Laurels to create a natural privacy barrier from the street. The large canopied Japanese Maples were also moved to different places in the front yard.

After all the transplanting work was complete, the homeowner also added two rows of 7′ Emerald Green Arborvitae on the other sides of the property. They now have complete privacy, an open backyard to create a usable outdoor space, and they were able to keep every valuable specimen tree that was already on their site. Not only did the repurposing save the trees, it also saved the homeowner a lot of money.

“Moving large existing trees is often more cost effective than trying to buy new trees of the same size,” said Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees. “This is particularly true of slow growing, ornamental specimens. New large ornamental trees can be expensive if you are even able to find them. So moving these large existing trees around on the property was a perfect solution for this homeowner.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

When is the Best Time to Plant a Tree?

By Nancy Penrose

Knowing how and when to plant trees is crucial to their success. In the Pacific Northwest, the optimal time for planting is October – April.  However, planting outside of this window can be successful too, so long as the trees are planted correctly and have the proper irrigation in place.  

Fall is typically considered by many the best time of year to plant new trees. Usually, late September, October and November are the best months. The conditions you’re looking for are when the hottest summer days are gone but the ground isn’t frozen yet. In the Pacific Northwest, rarely is the ground frozen enough to prevent planting.  December, January and February can also be great planting months as well.

Why should I plant a tree in fall?

In fall there is less chance of drought or hot sun scorching a fragile, newly-planted tree. The cooler temperatures help encourage new root growth, which is vital. Trees actually focus on growing new roots in fall, so planting new trees at that time helps them develop stronger roots. The more time a tree has to establish roots, the more quickly the tree will grow and the better life it will have overall.

Planting in the fall gives trees an extra growing season before the stress of hot summer conditions. The cooler temperatures plus the fall rain allows trees to establish roots, making it easier on them to survive to extreme summer heat or drought.

Many people think that young trees can’t withstand the winter. However, that’s not true. Trees go into a dormant state in the winter, basically like hibernation. This state slows down the tree’s growth and metabolism. It’s safe to plant trees until the ground is frozen solid. Even after snow starts, if you can stick a shovel into the soil, it’s okay to plant. When trees are dormant, they usually don’t require any extra care.

Is fall the best time to plant a tree in all states?

Climate is the important factor when determining the best time of year to plant trees. Seasonal weather determines the best planting time. Trees need adequate time to establish roots, especially in areas with hot, dry summers. A good rule of thumb is to plant your tree at least 4-6 weeks before either the extreme conditions of winter or summer are expected in your area

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Picking the Right Spot to Plant a Tree in Your Yard

By Nancy Penrose

Trees add beauty and value to yards, streets, and communities. However, deciding where to plant a tree is an important decision. Choosing the right spot will add to the value of the home, whereas choosing the wrong spot can become a nuisance or liability.

Tree placement

Before you plant, it’s important to know the tree’s height at maturity, as well as its crown spread and root space. Trees often require more space than you think. When in doubt, ask a local tree supplier or local nursery how much space (vertical and horizontal) is needed to keep your tree healthy and your structures safe.

Space for the tree to grow to its expected height and width both above and underground has to be taken into consideration. Some types of trees can develop very quickly. Poor placement can bring growing roots or branches too close to systems (water, sewage lines, sprinkler systems), driveways or sidewalks.

A tree’s root spread is often much larger than its canopy spread, so always allow for plenty of clearance. Before planting, it’s important to be aware of overhead power lines and underground utility lines.

Contact your local power, water, and gas companies before you select a spot for your tree. There are almost certainly cables, wires, and pipes buried in your yard, and you can risk serious injury or costly repairs if you cut into one of these while digging. Each utility should be willing to come out for free and mark off where its equipment and lines are located.

Many troubles can come by not deciding on the right tree location for planting are:

  • Damage to houses through cracked foundations, leaves in gutters, or abrasion of tree limbs hitting the residence
  • Cracked pavement of sidewalks, driveways, porches, and patios
  • Sewer drains or septic tanks clogged or broken by way of roots
  • Blocking scenic views or windows.
  • Blocking street signs from view of cars

Think seasonally

What’s going on in your yard in the spring can be drastically different than in the fall or winter. Thinking seasonally will help you plant your tree with its best interests in mind throughout the entire year.

Fruit or Sap

Will the tree drop messy fruit or sap on sidewalks or driveways? A fruit tree near the sidewalk will require a lot of regular, messy cleanup. Planting a pine tree near the driveway can mean your car will be covered in sap certain times of the year, which can be difficult to get off.

Sunlight

Some trees need and are more tolerant of light than others. Some trees need lots of direct sunlight whereas others need more shade.

Lower Utility Costs

Consider planting trees to lower utility costs. If your yard is big enough, plant three large trees, one each on the west, east, and north sides of your house. These locations can help shade your house in the summer and block wind in the winter. These benefits can result in as much as a 50% reduction in energy costs.

Shade

Plant your tree where it will provide shade for any outdoor equipment or activities, such as playground sets, grills, outdoor eating areas, and decks.

Ask the Right Questions

We recommend that you speak to a local tree specialist to help determine what type of tree would work best in your area. Ask things like how much space (vertical and horizontal) will the tree take up at maturity, and how much space is needed to keep your tree healthy and your structures safe, and how much sun and water it will need.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Big Trees Inc Helps Homeowner Out of a Jam

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc, (https://bigtreesupply.com) a tree nursery and tree transplant company in the Seattle area, helped a homeowner who had accidentally burned down a row of trees in his yard, a week away from selling his home. He was weed burning out in his front yard and caught an entire row of Arborvitae on fire.  If that wasn’t bad enough, he had been cleaning and weeding because he was putting his house on the market in 7 days!

In desperation, the homeowner called Big Trees and although the company had the trees he needed, their crews were booked out 4 weeks.  The homeowner was not able to plant the trees himself and it being the peak of landscape season, couldn’t find any landscapers available either.

When Nancy, the owner of Big Trees heard about the situation, she took a look at the schedule and was able to move a few jobs around to make this one work.  Within four days of his initial phone call, the homeowner had a whole new row of trees planted and the house went up on the market as planned!

“Thank you once again so much for the heroic effort you put in here.  You saved us and I think you got a couple of referrals out of it because our realtor was blown away that somebody could fix this so quickly,” said the homeowner.

“Big Trees has heard some crazy stories over the years and we relish the fun and challenge of trying to help people out when they’re really stuck in a bind,” said Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Planting and Care of Trees in a City Environment

By Nancy Penrose

Approximately 80% of Americans live in cities, and are not regularly exposed to natural areas like forests. This makes trees extremely important in an urban environment, for providing shade, removing air pollution, reducing stormwater runoff, and giving recreational benefits and providing beauty. Consider these facts:

  • Trees, if properly placed, can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10-20%, 10-15 years after planting.
  • Trees reduce asphalt temperatures by up to 36° F and vehicle interior temperatures by 47° F.
  • Home sale prices for houses with trees tend to be 3.5% to 4.5 higher than similar properties with no trees.
  • Consumers rate retail establishments up to 80% higher in retail districts with trees and other landscaping.
  • Recuperation rates are faster with patients who had window views of a wooded landscape.

 

But urban landscapes can be hard on trees. The average life expectancy of a tree in a downtown urban street is just 13 years, while trees in rural areas can live up to 100 years or more. Common causes of urban tree damage can include:

  • Damage to trees from nearby construction
  • Trees planted in too small an area
  • Poor, compacted soils
  • Damage during maintenance of utilities or sidewalks
  • Not enough watering
  • Polluted air

 

What can you do to help trees planted in an urban environment last longer?

  • Select a good site. The planting site should have at least two cubic feet of usable soil for every one square foot of expected mature canopy). Consider whether the location will create any potential conflicts with existing trees.
  • Improve the site conditions if necessary. You may need to apply compost, peat, lime or other material to improve soil drainage and fertility of the soil.
  • Choose the right tree species. It’s vital to select trees that are appropriate for your climate and soil conditions. A tree specialist can tell you what trees will work best in your environment.
  • Use proper planting techniques. Planting a tree is not difficult, but it must be done correctly to ensure tree health.
  • Proper tree care is vital. It is important to properly care for the tree after planting, including mulching and watering. But not too much mulching. Spread 2-4″ of mulch underneath the tree and keep it 1-2″ away from the base of the trunk.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Planning Your Landscape

By Nancy Penrose

Have you had ideas about what you want your yard to look like but didn’t know how to make those ideas a reality? Most homeowners have no experience with landscape design but everyone deserves to have the vision for their yard to become a reality.

Here’s how you can get a head start on designing your landscape. The tips in this article are not meant as a substitute for the steps needed for a professional landscape design plan. It is always recommended to have a specialist assist with finalizing and executing the design. But, you should have some basic knowledge under your belt so you can better visualize how you want your landscape to be. It can also help you work out your budget right from the start.

What is a Landscape Design?

A landscape design, or landscape plan, is a visual representation of an outdoor area. It uses scaled dimensions to accurately show the area and includes all relevant elements like trees, bushes, flower beds, grass or other turf, etc. It would also include the location of man-made elements like lawn furniture, a shed, fountains, concrete, a deck, etc.

How Do You Start Planning a Landscape?

A landscape plan starts with broad strokes – a basic outline of the area. You then gradually add in the elements you want to include. You would first draw the boundaries and major features of the entire property. Include the buildings, streets around the property, the lawn areas, the fences around the edges of garden areas, etc. You’ll want to note where north is on the design.

Then you would add in the existing features, specifically those that you can’t or don’t want to move in landscaping. This could include the location of walkways, rocks, water features, trees and shrubs. Use appropriate colors to differentiate these features.

Now start adding in new elements. You can show where you want to bring in new trees, shrubs or flowers. Draw in any walkways, pavers, decks, and planting beds. You can include lawn furniture, a shed, a gazebo, whatever fits the vision for how you want the landscape to look. You will have to compare this to the existing features, but your finished design plan should include just the elements that you want in your landscape.

We hope this helps get you started designing the yard you want!

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Over 200 Large Trees Planted on Property

Tree Transplant Company Helps Bring Over 200 Trees Onto Property in Seattle

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc, (https://bigtreesupply.com), a tree nursery and tree transplant company in the Seattle area, recently assisted a homeowner in Seattle with a very large project. The project involved bringing over 200 trees onto the property of a homeowner in Seattle. After careful planning and intensive work from both the company and the homeowner, the project was completed successfully with all parties very happy with the trees in their new home.

Big Trees was contacted by the homeowners of a large old estate in Seattle, located in a busy neighborhood. The homeowners were looking to plant a privacy screen of trees around the property to create an enclosed space of privacy. Initially requesting 100 12’ Leyland cypress trees to be planted, further planning and discussion caused the homeowner to change their plans. The homeowners found Big Trees were able to move some of the larger Rhododendrons and Camilias on the property. This was added to the scope of the work, along with planting 75 Yews and 30 Emerald Greens. With plans finalized, Big Trees began work on the now over 200 tree transplant project.

Prior to planting the trees, the homeowners cleared out large English Laurels and other miscellaneous shrubs and then rebuilt some of the concrete wall and surrounding planting beds. The planting space for the Leyland Cypresses was atop a tall retaining wall, requiring the use of a reach forklift to lift all of the trees up onto the wall. The Big Trees crew then hand carted each tree into place and successfully planted the large trees in place. “There is now a 12’ wall of ‘green’ surround the entire property that looks like it has been there for years,” said Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees. “I love the instant impact these trees have made and the homeowner is ecstatic! The homeowners reached out to us over three years ago and there have been quite a few changes in the plan, but it has finally all come together.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com

Tree Transplantation Company Gears Up for Spring

Big Trees Inc Advises Public on Best Ways to Enhance Their Landscape This Spring

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc, (https://bigtreesupply.com) a tree nursery and tree transplant company in the Seattle area, recently released a statement about everything they are doing to help homeowners prepare their landscapes for spring by planting new trees. The company also gave their advice on the best trees to plant for spring but will also work well for any season.

Nancy Penrose, owner of the company, stated: “Spring has arrived! With longer days and warmer temperatures, trees are beginning to bud and flowers are popping with color. Planting in the spring allows trees and shrubs to develop their root systems before being tested by the hotter dryer summers. The spring planting season is underway and Big Trees inventory is fully stocked and ready!

“Big Trees has a wide array of varieties and color choices. Early flowering trees are the ornamental cherries, plums, pears, magnolias and crabapples. These trees are a fun reminder that winter is over, and spring and summer days are just ahead. Later flowering trees, like the stewartia, styrax, and dogwoods, are a nice touch in any yard. Since they flower later, the weather is usually a little better and the flowers tend to last longer. Having a yard designed in a way that has multi season interest can be easily achieved. Layering in trees that bloom early, late, and some that have fall color can give you lots of things to look forward to in your yard year-round.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com