A newly-planted young tree is staked to stabilize it until the roots extend through the soil sufficiently to support it without assistance. Even slight uprooting, if not discovered promptly, can lead to damage or death of the tree.
Trees that may need staking include those with roots inadequate to support above-ground mass, which is the case for bare root trees or those with small root balls. Tall, top-heavy trees and slender, delicate trunks may also need some help.
Qualities of the site or soil may also dictate the need for additional support. These sights include windy areas, extreme rainfall and locations with alot of human or animal traffic.
Soil texture plays a lot in anchoring the roots properly. Sandy loam, loose organic material and forest fines are some examples of that. In this case, more stabilization and soil amendments may be required for proper rooting to occur. The rooting process usually takes about 1 year.
As we see in the first photo, someone was very determined to immobilize this tree!
Complete immobility is not a reasonable or desired result.
* If wind or other factors cause strong movement, the one-sided mooring can
cause the young tree to snap.
* The fasteners will rub against the tree bark, eliminating the tree’s protection
wherever there is friction and expose the tree to moisture and illness. If a tree has
too much of it’s protective bark removed, it is likely that the tree will die from the
exposure. This is referred to as “girdling.”
Correct tree staking employs two or more stakes opposite each other, and ideally parallel to the direction of the prevailing wind whenever possible.
* Proper tree staking/strapping materials are flexible, non-abrasive and adjustable and
should not be tied too tightly but have a little “give”.
* The tree is allowed some movement of trunk and branches, while keeping it’s
feet firmly planted. This kind of movement stimulates root growth as well as
Increasing the growth of the trunk diameter, leading to a much more healthy
outcome for the tree.
Usually, depending on the size of the tree when it was planted, the strapping or staking materials can be removed at the beginning of the next growth cycle. If staking is to remain in place, the strapping and adjustments must be checked to make sure the tension is correct and the bark of the tree free of restrictions.
Thank you to our customers, employees, vendors/business associates, peers and community for all the wonderful support! February marks the 30th year in business! WOW, what a ride!
Frontier Landscaping grew from a passion of the outdoors. Steve has loved the design and installation aspect of landscaping since high school and into college. Being able to see a design or idea become a reality on a homeowner’s property inspired Tina and Steve to start working out of their mobile home park with their 1974 Ford truck, trailer and a 60’s Massey Ferguson tractor that they cleaned up and painted. From the beginning we saw the value in clean rigs with nice signage and word of mouth business. Today we have well over 20 trucks in our fleet with the recognizable white and dark blue trucks with wagon logo. We started doing landscaping the first few years while Tina worked another job to make ends meet and also did our books. Steve and a couple of guys started doing the Landscaping. We started growing and added the maintenance department in about 1995 and in 2010 we brought in Sunshine Tree Service a very well- known and respected tree company that started in 1980. Since then the name has been changed to Frontier Tree Service.
Due to our growth and community support, it has allowed us to be able to give back to the community. We have en
joyed many community service events over the years and will continue for many more years to come!
Forward to 2018 we are a full-service Landscape company with three divisions, landscape construction, tree service and maintenance and have grown to over 40 employees. This would not have been possible without all the support of our awesome team members, community and most of all our clients.
We are nothing without our outstanding employees. From the very beginning in 1988 to today they have provided the skills and talents necessary to provide our quality services. Thank you all for taking the ride with us. Many have come and gone and will always be remembered. We are grateful for your service with Frontier. All of our past and current emp
loyee’s passion is what helped mold Frontier Landscaping to what it is today.
We value improving our expertise and safety through training. Some of our employees are certified as arborist, back flow inspectors, erosion control specialist, and pesticide applicators. We also have employees certified in CPR. We are proud of the time they have spent to get educated in our industry.
The future is bright, and we expect to continue growing and exploring new ways to improve our services. We look forward to another 30 years with you!
Thank you again!
Tina and Steve Pash
While many of us spend our winters focused on indoor activities, if you’ve been thinking about installing a new patio, retaining wall, pavers, water feature, or any other outdoor living space, don’t wait for spring to get started. Winter is the best
time to do it, and here’s why:
The Setting
Take a look at your property in the wintertime: Stark, dormant, monochromatic,and the perfect canvas upon which to design the ideal outdoor living space.
Importantly, this also allows us to take a look at how your property handles wintertime weather, such as water runoff and address any drainage or irrigation issues – whether through repair or installation—thereby ensuring that after your project is completed, it will weather the next winter without some of the unwelcome surprises that otherwise weren’t revealed during the summer months.
We’ll also be able to address tree issues, whether it’s pruning, installation or removal—quickly and with less visual impact.
Scheduling
It’s no secret that during the colder, slower months the line moves much faster to get projects started and completed. And, should your plans call for any permitting, the lowered rate of competition for these services will speed things up for you.
Convenience
If you’re not going to be entertaining outside right now, the need to be patient with a construction zone at your home will be greatly reduced. Once it’s completed you’ll be able to accessorize with plants, planters, and all the fun stuff involved with adding decorative touches.
Economics
Outside of the peak season, we can work with you to design a project budget that works the most efficiently for all of us, and when you’re not rushed, you’re far less likely to discover additional needs that can add to the cost.
Endless Outdoor Living
And while you’re at it, how about a pergola over a hot tub, or a fire pit to extend your outdoors enjoyment beyond our brief summer months! It’s easier than you think to create the outdoor landscape you’ve been dreaming about.
Call us today to get started!
The crisp fall mornings remind us that the hard-working summer garden has earned its winter rest. Sweeping the front walk and gathering leaves is a quiet exercise in mindfulness, and lets us gather our thoughts for the season ahead. Even though we enjoy our mild weather late into November, we can get occasional freezes and should clear out the irrigation system to prevent cracked pipes. As Halloween nears, ensuring you have a well-lit paths and driveways will make a cheerful and safe approach. And don’t forget to do some minor pruning to remove any broken branches or those that crowd and cover paths. These simple landscaping reminders for fall will ensure you have a problem-free winter.
Winterizing irrigation is quick and easy
We’re lucky here in the Vancouver area to enjoy long stretches of cool, autumn weather, and we typically don’t get the long hard freezes that cause problems. However, it’s always wise to unhook your hoses from the faucets, and add a little extra insulation to any pipes that are exposed. Bring any tender plants in pots up to the porch for extra protection, and buy a bale of hay for extra insulation in the garden.
Plan on shutting down your irrigation system. Even if you drain out your sprinklers, some water remains and can still freeze and crack your pipes, causing costly and unsightly repairs. To minimize your risk, call a professional to blow out any remaining water using the right-sized equipment. We schedule sprinkler winterization from October through early December, but now is a great time to get us on your calendar.
Throw some light on it
It’s also the perfect time to check on your outdoor lighting. Make sure paths are clear and well lit to greet you when you come home from work, and are safe when you have an armload of groceries. For convenience and to save energy, flood lights should be set to come on automatically when you arrive. Properly designed lighting colors and intensity give your home a cheerful welcome. Using LED lighting for landscaping makes sense, saving energy, and lasting longer than traditional lights. October is also a great time for stargazing, so a lighting expert can help you determine how to highlight only the areas you need to be safe without being overly bright.
Fall Maintenance Pruning
All the tips for Summer Tree Care still hold true – cut back shrubs after blooming, and prune fruit trees when they become dormant because it’s easier to see where to prune when the leaves drop. Unfortunately, we’ve also had a prolonged period of drought, so you may have had some branch die-back on a variety of trees and shrubs on your property. Now is a good time to have a Tree Hazard Risk assessment done before the winter storms come. We’ll look for damaged and overhanging branches, weak branch-joins, and insect or fungal diseases that impact the health of your trees. Selective pruning can also open the canopy and make trees more resilient to winter storms. Get an expert to assess your landscape before it becomes a bigger problem.
Frontier Landscaping provides exceptional customer service. Schedule an appointment with our seasoned and reliable crew today.
Laying the Groundwork for Success in Business
Just like investing in your home’s landscaping to improve its value, we invest in our business. We did our groundwork by having our Third Annual Staff Retreat in Sunriver, Oregon along the sunny Deschutes river. Our employees and their families enjoyed four days of planning and development, rest and relaxation.
We chose ‘Growing Forward’ as our theme to focus our planning efforts. Bill Arman from the Harvest Group provided business insight and inspiration. We worked on goals and long-range planning to ensure we can provide the services you need. To deliver top-notch service and ensure you get the very best experience, we discussed quality and improvement, as well as customer service and communication. Employee support and retention, and of course, training and safety are the foundation of any solid business.
We take great pride in being able to take the time to refresh and refocus our business every year. And besides, there was great fishing and golf. Check out more photos from our retreat on our Facebook page!
Did you know that interacting with nature provides healing benefits to your body and mind? It’s true. Research has shown that within minutes of moving outside, positive changes occur in the body, such as lower blood pressure, decreased heart rate, reduced stress, and improved mood.
A recent community project at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center has inspired us to revisit the specific elements that can bring a sense of rest and healing to a home landscape. Having a place to unwind, relax, and recharge is a gift, especially if you live a busy life on the go.
The Sanctuary Garden, by Christopher and Tricia McDowell, highlights seven design elements of a peaceful space. Whether it’s for just one corner in the yard or a whole property transformation, using these strategies makes it easy to refresh yourself with restful time outdoors.
Enhance Your Garden Entrance
Use a naturally-styled pathway, hedge, steps, or fence to make entering the sanctuary feel special. This boundary can be soft or firm, depending on the level of privacy desired.
Use Soothing Waters
A water feature doesn’t have to be elaborate to evoke a relaxing feel. Even a simple rock bubbler provides pleasing sounds and visual appeal. For larger spaces, a pond or waterfall puts nature’s beauty just steps away from your door.
Color Creatively
Will you be spending time in your sanctuary in the early mornings or evenings? Use low-wattage or LED lighting to set off plants and decorative features to their best advantage when natural light is low. Create beautiful shadows and draw attention to subtle colors and textures of your flowers and plants with discreetly placed lights.
Provide a Resting Place
Whether it’s a single bench or a suite of comfortable garden furniture, pick a spot or two that invites visitors to sit down and stay a while. Consider adding an outdoor bookshelf or blanket box to make it easy to kick back and relax.
Mimic Mother Nature
There’s no better guide to design than Mother Nature for a sanctuary garden. Use natural materials in combination: rocks and boulders, ornamental grasses, wood, shrubs, and flowers. Have a favorite hiking spot or viewpoint? Bring a few elements home with you. You might pair trees and wildflowers, boulders and water, or rocks and ferns to create the feel you love.
Add Pleasure With Garden Art
Accent the natural beauty of your space with an art piece that enhances the mood you’d like to set. Consider colorful ceramic pots, a wind-powered sculpture, or a playful statue to complement the style of your home and continue it in the sanctuary.
Invite Beautiful Visitors
Provide habitat and features to attract birds and butterflies. Using native plants often pays rewards here, as they are conditioned to thrive in the local environment and offer a suitable home to your neighborhood birds. Add a birdbath or feeder to encourage visits from your favorites.
Not sure what to plant? Talk to our landscaping team. We have decades of local experience and will give you our best tips for plant materials that fit your level of interest and design aesthetic.
Following two, three, or all seven of the design principles above will bring you closer to having your own healing sanctuary. The Frontier Landscaping team would be happy to talk to you about the vision you have and how to effectively make it a reality.
“Getting away from it all” might be a lot closer than you think! Call (360) 574-8979 or send us an email to arrange a consultation today.
