New Professional Hedge Trimmer Powers through Tough Tasks

STIHL HS 56 C-E features a reduced-emission engine for lessened environmental impact

Ideal for cutting and pruning hedges, bushes and shrubs, the powerful STIHL HS 56 C-E hedge trimmer is a great value for professionals. Compared to the HS 81, the HS 56 C-E hedge trimmer is more balanced and significantly lighter, helping reduce operator fatigue and has 68 percent less exhaust emissions, lowering the impact on the environment. The reduced-emission engine also delivers improved fuel efficiency for longer run times.

Increased blade rigidity, a new blade tooth geometry and double- sided 24-inch cutter bar provide better trimming performance. A new ergonomic loop handle provides increased comfort for the user, and t he Easy2Start™ system combined with the single Master Control Lever™ makes starting the HS 56 C-E quick and easy. A blade tip guard helps prevent damage to the blade, gearbox and objects near the hedge.

Ergonomic, fuel efficient and environmentally responsible, the STIHL HS 56 C-E is a great value to power professionals through tough tasks.

Let us know what you think about this product.  Comment below.

New Backpack Blower Makes Garden Cleanup a Breeze

Introducing the BR 200, ideal for big jobs around the home.

Designed with professional features and priced to be affordable, the new fuel-efficient STIHL BR 200 backpack blower helps clear leaves, grass clippings or other debris from the yard. Designed for homeowners with larger properties where a handheld blower is inconvenient, the powerful and lightweight BR 200 backpack blower makes yard cleanup a breeze.

Watch the video on the STIHL USA YouTube Channel.

The STIHL BR 200 has several user-friendly features including an easy starting procedure: fuel, purge, choke, pull and throttle. A tube-mounted throttle provides ease of use and single-handed operation. The lightweight backpack design means less fatigue for the operator, and an anti-vibration system provides additional comfort.

Its innovative engine design provides fuel efficiency to lower fueling costs, while its large fuel tank gives the BR 200 a longer run-time on a single tank than comparable handheld blowers. Powerful, lightweight, fuel efficient, and easy to use, the STIHL BR 200 is the right choice for the serious DIY homeowner looking for professional results at an affordable price.

If you own a STIHL BR 200 let us know what you think by commenting below.

Top 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Tree Care Service

by Mark Chisholm, certified arborist

When it comes to tree care, some jobs are too big and too dangerous, or just need professional expertise to keep the tree healthy. My rule of thumb: unless you can work with both feet on terra firma, you should hire a professional tree service. Working at height requires proper training and protection due to a number of risky variables like electrical wires, wildlife and nearby fences, buildings or homes. Of course, hiring a tree service comes with its own set of risks. To get your money’s worth and protect your interests, you need to ask your tree care professional these important questions and make sure you understand and agree with their answers.

1) Will they provide an up-to-date certificate of insurance and copy of their work contract? This should be your first and most important question. You want to ensure they are properly insured and that you will not be liable for damage, accidents or injuries.

2) What are their credentials? Try to hire a company with an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, a Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Accredited Business or one employing a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP). And if they will be working in proximity to electrical conductors, they will need to be Approved Line-Clearance Arborists.

3) Can they provide a list of references? Any quality company will be happy to share a list of satisfied customers. Ask for customers that they have done work for in the past month or so; you don’t want ancient history.

4) Will they give you a detailed estimate? Get written estimates from three equal companies to compare prices and understand the scope of the job, which leads into the next question.

5) How will the job be approached and what equipment will they use? You don’t want massive outdoor power equipment driving over your lawn and flowerbeds causing collateral damage unnecessarily. If they are going across your lawn, make sure they know the locations of sprinkler heads or other objects that may be damaged. What is their policy if they do damage something and make sure it is acceptable to you and that you have it in writing. It may be a good idea to photograph the area they will be working in just before work starts, so you have a record in case there is damage. Make sure you understand how they will clean up during and after the job.

6) How long will the project take? This is where getting an estimate is handy. One company might say three days while another says three hours.

7) Do they look like a professional company? What does their truck look like, is it well taken care of and have the look of a reputable company? If they don’t take care of their equipment, do you think they will take care of your tree and property? Do they have a website? Design and content can give you a sense of their professionalism, as can the appearance of the vehicles they use on jobs. Is the truck clean and in good shape? That can give you an idea of how they run their business.

8) Do they use spikes to climb trees while pruning? Unless you’re removing the trees, demand they not use spikes, which causes unhealthy wounds.

9) Do they advertise “topping” (removing live sections from the top of the tree)? This is another poor practice, particularly for large, healthy hardwood trees and would indicate that you should continue your search.

10) Will the crew be using hardhats and other personal protective equipment while on your property? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that personal protective equipment be used for any tree care operation. A reputable tree care service will want their workers protected.

It’s important to protect yourself and your property by hiring a tree care professional for dangerous jobs; it’s equally important to protect yourself and your “tree investment” by asking these ten important questions. For more information, including resources to help you find a tree care service, visit http://www.treesaregood.org/  or http://www.treecaretips.org/.

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About Mark Chisholm

One part acrobat, one part expert rope climber, one part tree physiologist, and several parts competitor and thrill seeker, Chisholm is a third-generation arborist with his family-owned Aspen Tree Expert Company in New Jersey. His expertise in tree care has made him a sought after consultant and industry spokesperson for the world of arboriculture, and he regularly travels the globe to consult with international arborist associations.

Chisholm has won every International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) New Jersey Chapter Tree Climbing Championship for the last 19 years and has conquered the wider tree-climbing world on multiple occasions.

Expert Fall Garden Tips for a Worry-Free Winter

Outdoor Living Expert P. Allen Smith offer advice for fall gardening.

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For a continuously healthy garden, I like to stay one season ahead. Throughout the autumn months, prepare for winter, and spare your plants from the oncoming cold by following these tips.  For a collection of monthly garden "To-Do's" check out my website.

September

• If you live in a region where winter temperatures typically drop below 20˚F for extended periods, you will need to lift and store tender bulbs such as elephant ears, dahlias and calla lilies after the first frost.

• Selective applications of herbicides on perennial weeds are especially effective during the fall while the weeds are storing nutrients in their roots for winter. When working with herbicide, be sure to protect your hands with protective gloves to avoid contact with skin. Easy2Grip Gloves by STIHL are oil- and gas-resistant, making them a good choice for this kind of work. Follow manufacturers’ instruction manuals for all products you use, including use of all indicated personal protective apparel.

• Build a cold frame to extend the growing season.

• Root crops such as carrots, radishes and potatoes may be left in the ground well into winter. Mulch heavily and harvest as needed.

• Add well-rotted manure and organic humus to your flowerbeds. Your plants will thank you for it next spring.

October

• Transplant deciduous trees and shrubs after the leaves have fallen. 

• Plant spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and globe alliums. STIHL's  BT 45 STIHL planting auger makes most planting tasks quick and easy.

• Protect your water features from fall leaves with netting. Stretch the netting over the water surface and secure the edges. Remove the leaves that land on the netting on a regular basis.

• Rake up and remove any leaves on your lawn. It is important to remove dead leaves because, over time, they will form a dense mat that smothers your grass. For an environmentally responsible way to speed up this job, use the STIHL BGA 85 battery powered handheld blower.

November

• Detach watering hoses from outdoor spigots, drain them, roll them up and store in a dry location. If your outdoor water is on a separate system from your indoor pipes, shut it off and then turn the faucet on until all the water runs out. Place an insulating foam cover over the spigot to keep ice from cracking the metal.

• In areas of the country where winters are mild, sow sweet peas. The variety 'Winter's Elegance' blooms well during the short days and reduced light of the season.

• Cover strawberries with a straw mulch. Wait to mulch your beds until after the first hard freeze, when the soil is frozen to a depth of about 1/2 inch.

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About P. Allen Smith

Smith is the author of the best-selling Garden Home book series and is considered one of the foremost gardening and outdoor living experts in the country. In addition to his own nationally-syndicated television series on commercial networks, P. Allen Smith Gardens, he also hosts P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home on public television and is a frequent guest on the TODAY Show. Smith has received several national awards for helping to educate and inspire the American public about the joys of gardening.