Aug 29, 2018 | Winter Tips
Preparing for Winter
The quality of “rest” or rather, dormancy affects the health and well being of your trees and landscapes year after year…Season after Season.
Plants and trees experience life cycles through the Seasons. Most trees “sleep” or go dormant each Winter to one degree or another. While some trees defoliate completely, others maintain their foliage but with both types, their growth rate slows to a crawl depending on the variety of the Tree. The quality of their rest period determines how healthy and productive they are when their growth period returns.
At Frontier, we prepare your Trees and Landscapes to do their very best throughout the Winter Season and set them up to thrive when Spring comes back around.
- Mulching to insulate tree roots and soil
- Proper Pruning and staking to protect trees during potentially harsh winter’s.
- Preparation in Winter creates healthy growth in Spring
It is important to protect the root systems of young plants and trees. Mulching is a good way to accomplish that task. Mulching works as a weed deterrent during the growth periods as well as retaining moisture. During the Winter months, it acts as an insulator to preserve warmth near the roots and soil.
Proper Tree Pruning and Tree Staking are also essential to protect your Trees from potentially harsh weather and to set them up to grow well again in the Spring.
Frontiers’ highly skilled team can prepare your Trees and Landscapes for the Winter and the coming growth season.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to get your Trees and Landscapes ready for Winter!
Aug 29, 2018 | General
Few activities are more relaxing and enjoyable than spending time outdoors with friends and family. At this time of year when it’s still warm outdoors that experience can extend into the evening. At Frontier we recommend Outdoor Lighting to enhance your Landscape, extend the time you can spend outdoors – as well as the safety aspects that come with having a well-lit garden or landscape.
Got a great garden? Why not flaunt it by night? Using overhead, in-ground and other types of fixtures you’ll create after-dark excitement – and deter trespassers at the same time. There are many different moods and lighting options that your professionals at Frontier Landscaping can introduce as options for you to best suit your personal needs and taste.
Lighting the outside of your home is not difficult, but an evening stroll around the neighborhood quickly reveals it’s easy to make mistakes…Too dark on one side, not enough light on the other…. Extremely bright then casting shadows over the front entry… not the right “type” of lighting, etc. The Frontier Landscaping Team will help you steer clear of such ‘missteps’ and find the types and styles of lighting to achieve the style and functionality that you are looking for!
Jun 18, 2018 | General
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.
Apr 24, 2018 | General
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
Feb 13, 2018 | General
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!
Feb 13, 2018 | Winter Tips
Every year when the cold weather arrives, and the last leaves are falling off your favorite tree, you may think to yourself: “My garden is done for the year!” Well, think again! Some of the most important and rewarding garden endeavors can only be initiated during the winter months. One of these is winter pruning, and it is something that will pay big dividends in your garden or landscape! Pruning your trees and shrubs during the winter months can greatly improve the look (Not to mention the health) of your plants, so that they go into spring looking fabulous! Here are some insights into winter pruning, and why it is so essential:
The single biggest reason that winter is a great time to prune is the fact that your plants will be in a
state of dormancy. When plants are dormant, they are far less susceptible to shock from pruning. One thing to keep in mind when it comes to pruning is that you should aspire to prune your plants as needed from a young age rather than having to do a bunch of drastic pruning later on. You can still prune many older plants, but they are far more likely to become “Frankentrees” if they must be pruned drastically.
Another great reason for winter pruning is that the lack of foliage on your deciduous plants makes
pruning cuts easy to see. This really helps when it comes to bringing out your plant’s best form. If you’ve never pruned ornamental trees and shrubs before, here are some of the things to look for when pruning for form:
- Prune off any dead or dying branches. These branches can harbor pests and disease, plus they just don’t look very good!
- Prune crossing branches or branches that are going towards the center of the plant. Ideally, you want the branching structure of your plant to radiate outward. This is the healthiest shape for your plant, because branches that cross or meet each other are more likely to split or break.
- Prune off any small interior branches that don’t really amount to anything. The goal is to allow good airflow to pass through your plant, and many trees and shrubs can get gummed up with unnecessary foliage on the interior that does nothing for the look of your plant but encourages potential disease issues.
- You’ll also want to selectively thin out the branching on the exterior of the plant so that it allows air and light to pass through the plant. Keep the healthiest, nicest looking branches while removing some of their neighbors. When you prune off these branches, take them back to a branch union (Where they attach to another branch) This helps to keep your pruning cuts from being obvious.
- If you are pruning a plant for size (Like a fruit tree or hedge), be sure to make your pruning cuts right above outward-facing buds. This will generally help future growth to grow in the right direction, and will avoid having long dead stubs at the ends of your branches.
One more great thing about winter pruning? Your plants will flush out lots of fresh growth quickly the
following spring, and you will get to spend the whole warm season enjoying the beauty of your plants rather than looking at chopped up looking trees and shrubs! Enjoy your beautifully pruned plants! Our Certified Arborists can help you get the job done right. Contact us today at 360-574- 8979 if you are interested in sprucing up your fine garden.
Dec 5, 2017 | Winter Tips
It looks like we’re going to get a week of sunny and dry weather so it’s a perfect time to tackle some of our top Winter Tasks to help you get a start on Spring. Then, curl up with a warm drink at the end of the day and outline the projects you want to accomplish next year. Here are our top tips:
- Skip a day at the gym and sweep regularly to keep sidewalks safe. Exercise clears the mind and lets you daydream about your goals.
- Be observant and keep on top of cool-season weeds like Lamium, Clover, and Chickweeds. Don’t know which weed? Check out Oregon State’s Weed ID Handbook.
- If the ground isn’t frozen, you still have time to plant bulbs for a beautiful Spring display. But if you’re smothered in snow? Call us for snow plowing or parking-lot de-icing!
- Is your lawn shaggy or does it have any bald-spots? Take your hairdresser’s advice and take only a little bit off the top.
- Send leaves from any plants that showed stress or disease to the Municipal Yard Waste; their hot composting system will break it down completely. Mow the remaining leaves and put them back on your garden beds as a protective mulch.
- Broken branches or other storm damage? Have our expert tree-pruning crew keep you safe.
- Grow your own? If you’re a home vegetable gardener, planning your seed order is both fun and challenging! The Oregon Extension office has great resources for growing techniques for our area, and the best varieties to help you narrow down your seed order.
- Ensure your new landscaping sails through a stressful summer and put in a water-saving irrigation system.
- Concerned about flooding on your property? Is it time to build that rain garden for year-round water management that is as beautiful, as it is effective?
- Dreaming about outdoor dining on our warm summer nights? Is this the year to finally build that patio? Pull out that stack of magazines and start marking pages, or visit our Houzz page and create your own idea book.
Check out our other winter maintenance services and give us a call.
Oct 31, 2017 | Fall Tips
Investing in Curb Appeal adds tangible value to your home. Did you know that fixing safety issues increases your home’s curb appeal too??
Is your house the one that didn’t get visited this Halloween?
Improve visibility with better landscape lighting. Replace those garish flood-lights that cast bright spots and deep shadows, with softer lighting to enhance your welcoming front door. Make your front walk visible, placing lights strategically at steps and corners, instead of creating an airport runway to the door. One new trend is Moon-Lighting; mimicking the cast of moonshadows by highlight featured trees and plantings along your front walk. Read more about using low-voltage LEDs and let our design and installation team turn your home from spooky to stunning!
Worried about Winter Winds?
Are you struggling to reach your door, ducking under branches and around that shrub that is swallowing your sidewalk? Proper pruning keeps branches from crashing down in our winter wind storms. Our professionals keep an eye on the health of your trees, noticing any summer drought stress, overgrown branches, or insect damage. Our skilled tree service can assess your tree health, provide fungal/insect treatments, install cabling and bracing, or safely remove any dead or diseased wood. With skilled pruning your trees will be healthier and you can be worry-free.
Narrow, overgrown walkways cramping your style?
Nandina domestica Gulfstream, courtesy Great Plant Picks
Just shearing plants to clear the walk leaves unsightly edges and shortens the life of your landscape investment. Our team keeps an eye out for new plant selections that perform well in our local landscapes. Construction Manager Shaun Schmitt recommends the new Nandina Gulfstream, with its colorful foliage in all seasons, and its compact shape. Native plants are also perfectly suited to our growing conditions, but choosing the ones that work best in urban landscapes requires knowledge of how they grow over time. Proper plant placement with these considerations in mind, results in a better looking landscape, and safe front walk.
Make the Call
Are you ready to for a worry-free winter with curb appeal that functions as well as it looks? We’d love to assess your landscape and help you enjoy your home this winter. Call us for an appointment today at (360) 574-8979
Oct 27, 2017 | Fall Tips
Fall is an ideal time to fix your landscape with the cool weather. Now that the kids are back in school and have finally picked up their bicycles and soccer balls, you can finally see what your landscape needs without all of that clutter.
- Did that pretty Maple tree you got as a house-warming gift shrivel in our hot summer? Plant new trees or shrubs to fill the gap.
- Do you get squishy shoes when you go out to the mailbox all winter? Anticipate and resolve drainage problems now, while making the solution beautiful too!
- Want a new vegetable garden? Get a jump-start on installing or changing your irrigation, and be ready to plant as soon as it warms up next spring.
Whatever your project, fall is the perfect time to call us.
Summer Shrubs get Stressed
This plant sails through our seasons! Nandina domestica Gulfstream, courtesy Great Plant Picks, is Shaun’s favorite
Hot, dry weather and bright sunlight causes plants to sunburn and wilt. Plants shut down until the cool weather returns and there is enough water to encourage growth again. Shaun Schmitt, Construction Manager at Frontier Landscaping, loves planting trees and shrubs in the fall, where the cool temperatures and free irrigation help plants settle into their landscape. “When plants are going into dormancy, there is less stress, and plants can put their effort into growing stronger roots instead of trying to flower.” His new favorite shrub, the trouble-free Gulfstream Nandina, has a compact shape, and requires little maintenance. Its solid green color is enhanced by bronze new leaves in spring, and changes to copper and gold in the fall. Let our construction team give you a stress-free fall.
Winter Wet isn’t Here Yet
Now is the perfect time to solve those drainage problems, before soils become too water-logged to work on. We had an astonishing 45 inches of rainfall last winter, making it the second-wettest winter recorded. For a smart, long-lasting solution, think about installing a dry creek-bed. These stylish drainage solutions work hard, can be planted with locally-adapted plants, and can absorb even the largest volumes of water. Schmitt says, “French Drains can become plugged up with silt and bark-dust over time.” When the creek-bed is installed properly, it slows down the erosion-causing deluge and allows the water to percolate into the ground responsibly, instead of into storm drains or your neighbor’s garage. Then, all you need to do is add beautiful plants for a year-round show! Download this Oregon Rain Garden Guide for some great planting suggestions. Check out examples of our recent work, as seen on the Parade of Homes!
Get the Jump on Spring
Want the juiciest tomatoes next year? Convert that unused section of lawn to a drip-irrigation watered vegetable garden. Dreaming of the lushest lawn, or want to surprise your spouse with beautiful new maple tree? Add new lines to protect your investment. When you make these changes now in the off season, you’ll be ready to go in the spring. Leave the math to us, and we’ll work out the most efficient water-saving layout for your new garden. The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, and the best time to install spring irrigation is today. Call our Construction Department to schedule a visit now!
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Oct 9, 2017 | Fall Tips, General, Landscaping Tips, Outdoor lighting
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.
