Spruce Up Your Trees This Spring

by Certified Arborist and International Tree Climbing Champion Mark Chisholm

  

Proper care is essential to the health of your trees.  We've teamed with third-generation, expert tree care professional Mark Chisholm to provide you with the tips you need to take care of your trees this spring.

DISEASE WATCH

Each year, new threats to landscaping are born and old threats get beaten down or dwindle off. Be sure to check with local experts, such as a local extension agent at an agricultural college or university or an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, or a Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) certified tree care company to see what threats are looming in your geographical region. For example, the Asian Long-horned Beetle (ALB) or Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) have already killed millions of trees in the U.S. since they were discovered. Learning what to look for may not only save your local trees, but may positively impact your neighborhood, state and beyond.

 

MIND YOUR MULCH

Trees and landscape beds respond well to being mulched. Remove competing grass away from the trunks of trees and plants to help them flourish. Just remember that more mulch is not better. Keep mulch thickness down to just a few inches and pull it back near the trunk to avoid contact, because if mulch is piled around the trunk, it holds moisture and heat. This can cause developments of cankers and other ailments. It also encourages a secondary roots system to develop above the primary one, which could include girdling roots. If the trees in your landscape are susceptible to certain fungal problems (such as dogwood or sycamore anthracnose and pines affected by diplodia tip blight), removing leaf and needle debris will help reduce this effect.

PROPER PRUNING

The best time to prune trees and shrubs varies depending upon species

and desired results. Pruning during the “dormant season,” or when the trees have no leaves, is usually best. This is the time to prune young trees for future structure, remove live limbs that are too low or close to the house, and remove limbs that might have been damaged in winter storms. Keep in mind, though, that dead and damaged limbs can be pruned any time throughout the year.

 

ADJUST IRRIGATION

Now is the time to make any necessary changes to your sprinkler system. Watch to see if there is any water pooling around trees and provide a remedy if there is. Ensure that plants prone to fungal problems are not sprayed directly with sprinklers, which could result in a severe issue if left as is. For example, if your sprinklers are spraying the foliage of a dogwood tree, it may be more likely to host powdery mildew and anthracnose. A mugo pine battling with diplodia tip blight will have more trouble defending itself with the extra watering. Be sure to look into the needs of each species within the sprinkler’s reach.

 

SAMPLE THE SOIL

A soil sample can alert you to any nutrient deficiencies in your trees. Have a specialist come out and take a sample before you start a fertilization program of any kind. Prescription programs are much more precise than blanket programs, and they can help you to save money if fertilizer and additives are not needed.

 

For more information on Chisholm, visit stihlusa.com/events.html. For more information on how to find a certified arborist or tree care company and other tree tips, visit the ISA website http://www.treesaregood.orgor TCIA website, www.treecaretips.org.

How Shopping Local Can Add Value to Your Home

by Bill Brunelle, Project Manager, Independent We Stand

There are a lot of reasons for consumers to shop local.  Local businesses return a higher percentage of revenue to the local community than mass merchants, contribute more to local charities and causes, and create more jobs.  But a recent study by American Express OPEN, also showed that home values in neighborhoods with strong independent retail districts grew at a much faster rate over a 14-year period than those without. 

To help local businesses tell this story, Independent We Stand, the national movement of local businesses and consumers dedicated to spreading the “buy local” message, has developed the Home Value Calculator.  The calculator gives homeowners an easy tool to determine how supporting their locally owned, independent businesses – and encouraging more to open in their areas – affects the value of their home.

The Home Value Calculator joins our Economic Impact Calculator, which shows the direct impact on the local economy if each family spent just $10 each month with a locally owned business instead of at a national chain. Both calculators are part of our ongoing campaign to educate American communities about the positive economic benefits of buying from locally owned, independent businesses whenever possible.

We certainly hope that you will join the cause and help revive your local economy by shopping at the locally-owned businesses in your community. Buy their products. Eat their food. Use their services. In turn, these locally owned and operated businesses will continually pump your hard-earned dollars back into the local economy by way of taxes, payrolls and purchases.  Not sure where how to find your local businesses?  Our local business search makes it easy to search by zip code and find a member business whether you are at home or on the road.  If you don’t find your favorite business, encourage them to join; it’s free!

Studies continue to prove that buying local can improve the economy - from the neighborhood level up. Independent business truly is the lifeblood of the American economy and we hope that you will join STIHL in joining the movement. 

Model Takes on STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS®

by Brad Sorgen, Event Marketing Specialist at STIHL Inc.

I’ve (We’ve) seen reporters try the speed climb, the logroll and the boom run. But this was a first. Lauren Berlingeri, a model and former collegiate soccer player, hoped to conquer the ax throw, single buck, speed climb and stock saw in one weekend.

As the star of “Woman v. Workout,” a new websiode series on the YouTube channel, 3V, Lauren has been making her way around the country trying different sports and athletic challenges. So far, she tried boxing, skiing and training with the FDNY. Up next, the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series

Dave Jewett, longtime STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series competitor and ESPNU announcer for the Collegiate Series, was her lumberjack sports coach and trainer.

We started her off “easy” with the ax throw. Within in three throws, she hit a bull’s eye. A natural?

Next we moved on to the stock saw. To the inexperienced eye and casual fan, this discipline looks simple. Make two cuts -one down, one up- through a 16-inch block of wood.  Dave quickly explained to Lauren that this was the most underrated event, especially by younger and newer competitors.

“Just let the chain saw do the work and you guide it,” coached Dave.

We suited up Lauren in her safety gear – chaps, eye and ear protection and she was ready to go. Once again, she mastered the discipline with hardly a bat of an eye.

Up next for Lauren, the single buck, with the very appropriate nickname, the misery whip. This discipline is the most physically enduring of all six chopping and sawing disciplines in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series . Using an old-fashioned crosscut saw, the competitor makes one cut through 19 inches of wood.

The quality of the crosscut saw is a big factor in this discipline. Since Lauren was using one of pro competitor Mike Slingerland’s practice saws, she was more challenged in this respect. The single buck gave Lauren a true test of strength and stamina though she proved to be a quick study, listening to every coaching tip that Dave shared like keeping the saw level and using her entire body to work the saw.

When she completed her cut, she looked 100-percent physically exhausted. She clearly understood why the discipline had its nickname.

We saved the best for last as far as Lauren was concerned, the speed climb. She was quite eager to try the speed climb after seeing the college students, who were competing in the Mid-Atlantic woodsmen conclave, scurry up and down the poles.

Lauren was slow in starting the speed climb. Dave instructed her to really throw her gaffs into the tree and keep her body pulled in close. Slowly but surely, she climbed to the top of the 40-foot pole. Once she reached the top, she broke out into a huge smile and took in the view.

“Wow, this is a lot harder than it looks.”

Check out Lauren’s adventure with the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series here … and remember kids, don’t try this at home.

Gifts Mom Would Love for Mother's Day

Want to really make an impression on your wife or mom flowers this Mother’s Day? Flowers are nice (and we hope you are using an independent local florist) but why not get her a gift that will keep flowers and landscape stunning for seasons to come….from STIHL!  Here are just a few of the products we think Mom would love!

   

STIHL Precision Series™ Hand Tools

STIHL has a variety of hand tools and accessories. If your mom enjoys fine pruning, but with the ability to handle larger stems, we recommend the PP 70. This hand pruner is extremely versatile and has top-quality blades.   When she’s not able to make the cuts she needs with hand pruners, the PS 30 Folding Saw will allow Mom to easily cut smaller branches and limbs.

STIHL Battery KombiSystem

Moms don’t like messy.  With the STIHL Battery KombiSystem Lithium-Ion product line there is no fuel to pour, oil to mix, and no exhaust fumes. 

With instant startups, long run times and powerful performance, mom will be have what she needs to do what she loves.  And because the STIHL Lithium-Ion batteries are interchangeable and work in any product in the line, which includes a chain saw, blower, hedge trimmer and grass trimmer you have your gift list covered for the next few years.

Now is the perfect time to buy. Visit your local STIHL dealer to take advantage of a rebate offer. In celebration of Dealer Days, buy one STIHL Lithium-Ion battery and one STIHL Lithium-Ion unit and get a $100 mail in rebate. (Participating dealers only. Offer ends 9/30/12. See the rebate form for complete details.)

STIHL Gloves
Take care of the hands that take care of so much.  The STIHL Yard Grip Gloves are comfortable with a contoured shape,  breathable knit back and wrist and the textured, waterproof fingers and palms provide superior grip and durability. If Mom needs something for tougher jobs then The STIHL HomeScaper Series™ Gloves are for her.  The surprisingly soft and durable goat leather lasts twice as long as common leathers and the innovative keyed thumb stitching provides super comfort and gripping ability.  Perfect to wear while running STIHL outdoor power equipment.

Best of all Mom will know you care because you are giving her STIHL quality and dependability backed up by a local STIHL dealer who is knowledgeable and can provide ongoing product advice and maintenance.