Notice your cotoneaster hedge looking sparse, bare, dry or brown? Your hedge may be suffering from an Oystershell Scale infestation, and it’s deadly.
Thriving in the spring season, this pest eats hedges whole and spreads at an alarming rate. In some cases, hedges can be treated with a dormant oil to control the spread. Yet, measures as drastic as cutting hedges to the ground are often necessary to prevent further damage from these pests.
Given their name because of their resemblance to a sea creature, this insect resembles the shell of a mussel. If your hedge has the symptoms, look closely at the branches for bark that looks unhealthy (dry, bumpy or rough). This bark is in fact covered in the insects, which thrive on the host plant and cause significant damage.
If you suspect an infestation, taking care of it early is key. We've got you covered! Let’s protect our beautiful cotoneaster hedges.
Live beside a tree that’s encroaching on your property? Neighbours trees can have large root systems that impact soil quality, impact grass growth and create a mess. The question is: can you actually do anything about it if it’s not your tree? Here’s how we recommend you go about it. Can a solution be reached […]
When’s the best time to prune or trim your trees? Why, right now, in early spring! Why Early Spring? Trees are still in their winter dormancy right before they bloom, making it the best time to clean them up. They are not actively growing, which means as soon as they come out of dormancy, wounds […]
How can you improve the quality of the soil around established trees? Here are all of the easy wins: Mulch the area around the roots. Mulching promotes healthy bacteria within the root structure and also combats the growth of harmful weeds. Use natural compost. Adding compost from the kitchen or pelletized manure adds essential nutrients […]
A dangerous tree could not only cause damage to your property, but could also cause injury and create liability. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to have it taken care of professionally as soon as possible: Large broken limbs or branches tearing from the tree or entangled high up in other […]
We love what we do and couldn’t do it without our trusted tools. From chainsaws to rope, here’s a list of our favourite tools, which have been created by some of the best brands in Canada and make our jobs easier and safer everyday. Chainsaws: Stihl. Stihl’s exceptional chainsaws are reliable, start effortlessly and allow […]
Salting side-walks and roads is important in the winter to prevent wipe-outs, but can be extremely harmful to our trees. Salt (especially the kind that contains sodium chloride) can cause long-term damage to not only our trees, but also most vegetation. Here are some tips on how to prevent damage from happening: Use an alternative. […]
It may seem straight forward, but you would be surprised how hard some of these signs are to spot: An abundance of random sticks and branches on the ground. Although it is normal for some to be shaken loose seasonally, the tree dropping is also a sign that it is not healthy. The bark is […]
Looking to stay cozy this winter but also spend some time outdoors? Calgary’s local firepits are open until 9 p.m. most days and some even allow drinking! Here are a few of our favourite spots and how to book them, courtesy of The City of Calgary. S.E. Inglewood - Mills Park: 1508 - 9 Ave. […]
We see them everywhere in the winter, but what exactly are they—and are they edible? The resilient, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that bears these berries is usually used for decoration, but also spreads extremely easily. Although they have a slow growth rate, they can also last up to 40 years with the right care. When it […]
When it comes to bringing Christmas to the front yard, one of the best ways to do it is wrapping trees in sparkling, bright lights. However, this job is not always an easy endeavour. We’ve got you covered with all the yays and nays: Do: Calculate how many lights you will need. Christmas Lights Etc. […]