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Tree Trimming

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This example shows what a tree looks like after it has been pruned properly. The size has remained the same. Thinning has occurred by removing the smaller cross branches. The main branches are left intact.

Tree trimming is the most misunderstood part of the landscape maintenance industry.  For various reasons, most maintenance contracts only cover tree trimming for trees less than 15 feet tall.  As a result, in order to save money, contractors are asked to “top” trees so they will not grow over the height limit.  With very few exceptions, trees should never be topped.  The result is an unsightly tree that will not grow back properly and is susceptible to other problems in the future.  For those trees that will mature over the contract height limit a budget should be created to provide future tree trimming.

Different types of trees may be trimmed at various times of the year.  Deciduous trees (no leaves in the winter) should be trimmed while their leaves are off.  Evergreen trees may be trimmed any time of the year.  Certain trees such as Coral and Eucalyptus should be trimmed before the fall windy season.  Most maintenance crews have more time available to perform tree trimming in the winter months.

 

 

Fuel Modification: How it Pertains to Your Association

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With the tapering off of winter, the spring rains have brought plenty of moisture to the hillsides, thus presenting associations with the task of taming the fuel modification zones prior to the summer fires. In many developments that are built on hillsides and adjacent to native brush areas, the developer was required by the county or city to provide a brush management plan for the maintenance of the native plant material that germinates each year.  Depending upon what county one is working in these areas are referred to as “Fuel Modification Zones or Brush Management Zones.  In most Landscape Maintenance contracts, the maintenance of these zones in included in the scope work when the Association takes over the Maintenance of the common area from the developer. Typically, in most Fire Districts, June 15th is the deadline date to have all of your fuel modification work completed.  The following are some basic facts that one should be aware of when managing the fuel modification zones.

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OCLM on iPad/iPhone

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OCLM.com is available on your iPad and iPhone.  Our site has been optimized to be used in an HTML5 environment.  We want to make sure that you can access information about O’Connell Landscape Maintenance from any internet based device that is available.

 

 

 

 

Common Area Watering

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Do you ever wonder how we determine how often, or for how long, we water the common areas?  Well, there are several factors we consider when we are adjusting the sprinkler clocks.  First, there is the weather to consider.  Obviously, if it is raining we shut everything off and leave it off as long as possible.  As the rains subside and the warmer weather sets in, we will begin to slowly turn the irrigation back on.  At first, we will water one or two days per week and then when summer is in full swing, we will water as needed in order to remain within restrictions set forth by your city codes.

Next we need to consider the type of plant materials we are watering.  For example, we have mature trees in all the turf areas.  If the trees were all by themselves with no grass around them, we could water them as little as a few times per month!  Trees generally have large root systems and by nature they will seek moisture deep in the earth on their own.  However, the trees planted in the turf areas are subject to the water necessary to sustain shallow rooted turf grasses.  As a result, the trees do not need to work hard for their water and their roots are bit “lazy”.  That is why you can see so many roots close to the surface in many areas.

Then we have the planter beds.  In these areas, we target the water cycles necessary for the standard plantings.  In most cases, these plants are mature and do not require as much water as many of the flowers planted by homeowners.  As a result, the homeowners who plant flowers may need to supplement the irrigation with a little water from their garden hose in order to maintain their flowers.

 

Why prune trees?

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Occasionally we are asked why we regularly prune trees.  Someone who originates in a region where an abundance of trees grow naturally often asks this question.  In southern California, most of our landscape environment is made up of plants and trees that are not native to our region.  And even those plants and trees that are native are usually planted in an artificial environment where there is supplemental irrigation and nutrients available.  These conditions along with our normally warm, sunny climate create an environment where trees thrive.

 

As a result we end up with trees that are not growing at their own pace with their accustomed moisture and nutrients.  Therefore, we must prune the trees on regular basis to ensure that they mature with the proper structure that nature provides for them in their native conditions.  And because these trees are located close to homes, sidewalks and streets, we must also prune trees to ensure the public safety.

 

Over the years for out customers, we have developed a pruning schedule that also takes other issues into consideration such as annual leaf drop, fruit production and seasonal flowering.   We also take into consideration the tree’s needs in terms of pruning frequency.  Some trees require annual pruning, while others respond better to pruning that may be 3 or even 5 years apart.

 

So the next time you see our tree crew in your area and they are only pruning one specie of tree, you can rest assured that years of experience and the input from your landscape committee have created a pruning schedule the suits your landscape maintenance needs.