120 gallon Aquarium
Tree Advice

Building a 120 Gallon Aquarium Information

120 gallon Aquarium If you plan to buy a spacious aquarium, the chances are that you’re in for a real treat – especially if you decide to get a 120 Gallon Aquarium. These aquariums are made with convenience in mind, can fit in almost any room, and are very easy to care for. In this article, we have created this buyer’s guide to help narrow down the advantages of owning such a large aquarium, what the best features to look out for in such a tank, and importantly, have also prepared a top seven most excellent 120 gallon aquariums.

With all the latest technologies in aquarium technology these days, one of the latest developments is the rise in popularity of the three-piece stand aquarium. The three-piece stand tank can be a combination of acrylic enclosures, shelves and light equipment. The tank stands on three sturdy and flexible legs, which allow it to be placed on a table or shelf. Also, due to the flexibility the enclosures of this type are available in, you can tailor the arrangement and design to fit into the overall ambiance of your home.

When considering the main features of this tank, one of the things that most people notice first about it is the fact that it has a glass front. Glass is a very effective barrier against harmful chemical, biological and physical particles from entering the aquarium. However, in order to save space, a lot of manufacturers now use plastics as the main material instead of glass. While glass still has some advantages over the plastic alternatives in terms of size, clarity, and durability, it is now so much more popular for a 120 gallon aquarium because of its various benefits.

The biggest advantage to having a glass aquarium is that you get to have the best views of the plants and fish. The large viewing area can give you a very good view of the movements of your fish. Also, being larger than a traditional aquarium, it can be easily visible from any part of the house or room. If you have a large enough aquarium, you can even watch live tropical fish. There is no reason why a 60 gallon aquarium cannot provide the same viewing opportunities as a larger version.

Another big plus of having a larger aquarium like this is that it is extremely spacious. If you add waterfalls, or other features, it will look even more spacious. Even having a full set of waterfalls in the tank is going to be a great focal point. Also, with a full tank, you can have a lot of floating plants such as Water lettuce. They love full sunlight but will do quite well if given some shade during the cooler times of the year.

One thing that is going to make a bigger difference than anything else is an air pump. Having an air pump is going to give you a much better environment for your fish than you would have if you did not have an air pump. Even having just a small one can make a huge difference in how big your aquarium looks. One other thing that can help is to choose the proper filter size for your aquarium.

The proper filtration size is going to depend on the type of fish you have. If you have tropical fish, you are going to want to go with a larger filter than a fish that like freshwater. A larger filter will also cost more money. It does you little good to have a filter that is too small, and it will just waste money. The ideal filtration size for a 120 gallon aquarium is a filter that is at least four inches by six inches. Anything longer than this and it will not work properly and could possibly cause the tank to become unstable.

The last thing to consider when building a 120 gallon aquarium is the lighting and heaters that you need. Do you want an LED grow light or an HID light? If you choose to get an HID light, then you will need to get a specific filtration system. You should always remember to follow all instructions carefully and do not cut corners no matter what you buy. These types of things can end up costing you more money down the line if you do not.

Tree Service

Choosing a Tree for Your Landscape

Mistakes are easy to make when choosing a tree. Most of these are related to misinformation regarding a tree’s size when full grown. It’s also common to see mishaps like full-sun plants tucked into shady corners.

Planting a tree should be fun and exciting. Unfortunately, mistakes ultimately often lead to disappointment. Planning and careful consideration are not only necessary at the time of planting, but before as well. A successful tree planting starts with the right tree.

choosing the right tree
Advance planning, before you even visit the nursery, will help ensure you choose the right tree.

Planting Goal

With so many choices about species, size, cost and other factors, it’s easy to get bogged down before you even get to the most important question. Prior to making any decisions, the first thing to ask is, “what is my goal in planting a tree?” Some typical tree planting goals are improving privacy, beautifying the landscape (flowers, etc), increasing shade, or establishing a family heirloom. Establish a goal and you will have an easier time making a choice about the best tree.

Location, Location, Location

Similar to success in real estate, success with tree planting a tree is all about the right location. The tree needs to have enough physical room to develop. Additionally, the spot chosen should have the right amount of sunlight or shade as well as proper soil conditions. Understanding the size and requirements of the tree as well as the conditions it will grow in will further narrow your selection.

dditional Considerations

If you live in a rural area with a lot of deer, you’ll need to consider a tree that is resistant to deer browsing. Further, seasonality could be important to you. Maybe you’re looking for an evergreen so that you have year-round color or want a tree that has brilliant red leaves in autumn. Perhaps you’d like a tree that flowers during late summer, or one that provides food for birds, squirrels, pollinators and other wildlife. Accordingly, these secondary benefits can inform your choice of tree depending on your priorities.

fter Planting

When planting, remember that regular watering is vital for new trees. Removing wire baskets and any cording around the trunk (if balled and burlapped) will help deter long-term health issues related to poor root structure and girdling. Be sure to review our tree planting tips.

Lastly, the job of tree care doesn’t end with the planting. Many newly planted trees die within the first few years after planting. As such, caring for your young tree in those early years is critical to survival. Controlling pests and ensuring adequate soil nutrition are particularly important as your new tree attempts to become established.

The post Choosing a Tree for Your Landscape first appeared on Tree Topics.

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Tree Service

HIRE A CERTIFIED TREE CARE EXPERT

Spring tree care is an investment that can provide significant returns and leads. Attractive and healthy trees go a long way in enhancing the appearance of your property and in adding value as well. As a certified tree service in Fort Worth, we can take care of your maintenance and spring tree care needs. Maintaining trees and shrubs requires a certain level of knowledge and expertise.

You could save a lot of time, money, and effort by hiring a certified tree care expert for your spring maintenance.

Highly Trained and Professional

We staff ISA certified arborists and tree care experts that are highly trained and specialized. Our crew is equipped with the proper training to analyze tree related issues and to correct them with proper tree care. Our arborists can do a lot from identifying potential hazards or harmful concerns to implementing the right services to help your trees.

Arborists have the experience to come up with a plan of action that will help your trees and ensure a healthy and happy yard. Not paying attention to sick or decaying trees can eventually cause your other plants to show signs of sickness. It doesn’t take much for pests and diseases to jump from one tree to the next. An arborist will make sure that all signs of damage, decay, and disease are caught early before they can wreak havoc in your yard.

Required Services Provided in a Timely Manner

Spring care is something that needs a lot of time and attention. It is not enough to give your yard a quick once-over. We have a keen eye and enough time and hands on deck to assess the health of your individual trees and take adequate measures to protect them.

As certified tree care experts, we know the kind of services that your trees require for staying healthy and the best way to provide these services. Not to mention, our arborists have experience offering a wide range of care options, such as tree pest control, tree disease control, planting, tree removal, stump removal, and tree trimming or pruning among others.

We are your one stop shop for everything that needs to be done as part of spring tree care. Call today for a free quote: 972-743-9959.

The post HIRE A CERTIFIED TREE CARE EXPERT appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

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Tree Service

Buttonbush: A Plant that Thrives in Wet Soils

It’s tough to find garden plants that thrive in wet soils or areas where there is standing water. You want a plant that can live in less than hospitable conditions while also looking great. In these instances, buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) may be your plant.

buttonbush
Buttonbush prefers wet conditions and can even grow in standing water.

Characteristics

Buttonbush is a small to medium sized shrub that can reach a height of 10 to 15 feet tall with a medium spread of 8 to 10 feet. It is sometimes called button willow, honey bells or honey balls. This multi-stemmed plant has leaves that come in pairs or in threes. The leaves are a glossy dark green with a narrow, oval shape. Further, they have smooth margins and a pointed tip that rounds to a tapered base.

When it is happy, buttonbush produces long-lasting white or pale pink flowers. The flowers are unique. They have a round shape and a pincushion-like appearance, like a spiky ball. As the flowers fade, they mature into reddish-brown fruits that persist into winter.

buttonbush flower
The unique buttonbush flower attracts many pollinators.

Buttonbush is a wildlife lover’s dream. The fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Moths and butterflies frequent the plant for its sweet nectar. In addition, the fruit is a good food source for birds. Species including robins, towhees and kingbirds find the plants just as pleasing as the ducks and water birds that live in the wet areas where buttonbush often grows.

Growing Conditions

Buttonbush is native to much of the United States. As it prefers moist conditions, you may spot it growing on stream banks, shorelines and in swamps. In fact, it can tolerate growing in water up to depths of three feet. While it can grow in drier soil, buttonbush prefers soil with regular moisture to the aforementioned wet extremes. Some insect pests may cause minor damage, but drought conditions pose a greater threats to its growth and health.

With its unique attributes and adaptability, buttonbush is a worthy addition to diverse landscapes. It is a great option for wet areas of a property or even regular garden locations that get lots of moisture.

The post Buttonbush: A Plant that Thrives in Wet Soils first appeared on Tree Topics.

junk remov
Junk Removal

Three Things To Keep In Mind When Renting Dumpsters

Junk removal is an organization that involves the removal and collection of unwanted objects. The price will differ depending on the different items being removed and the junk removal company you choose. There are many factors involved when it comes to selecting the right Junk Removal company. You will need first to identify where the junk is coming from before hiring the company to remove it. This can be done by requesting a quote from several companies.junk removal

Some companies will provide a free quote, while others may require an upfront fee. Companies that charge a fee are usually very reliable and trustworthy. Make sure you read all the terms and conditions associated with the service. Junk removal companies are often able to recycle unwanted things or items that are reusable.

Some people do not feel comfortable with junk removal companies. They may think they are just a waste of time and money and that they would do better to just dispose of the item themselves. However, there are many companies in each area that will haul away whatever it is you have in your garage or home that you do not want to sit around. The service charges are very affordable.

A good thing to think about is the environment. When junk removal companies bring something back to your house, they recycle it. This helps to reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills. Landfills can fill up over time, and this causes pollution and can put people in danger of cancer and other health problems. Try to avoid throwing things in your landfills as much as possible.

Another option is renting a dumpster. You can either rent a large one or a smaller one. Many homeowners rent the larger dumpsters for big projects such as home improvements and remodeling. There are also many smaller ones that homeowners rent so they can do home projects around their yard. Homeowners who are thinking of getting a dumpster online should consider all of the options they have when it comes to renting.

When you decide to get a dumpster for hire, you can go online and find the right one for you. There are many websites that will help you compare prices between different dumpster rental services. Renting online is easy, and you can even have it shipped directly to your home. There are many different companies out there that will help you with junk removal and renting a dumpster is probably the best way to go. There is no need to stand in line and deal with rude people when you rent one, and all you have to do is fill it up and get rid of it.

Whether you are getting a dumpster rental for home projects or any other reason, you want to make sure that you are completely informed before renting one. This will ensure that you are happy with it and don’t end up regretting it later. You should always ask questions and get as much information as possible about it before signing any contracts or making any kind of payments. This is an important step for ensuring that you get what you want when you rent a dumpster, and you will feel more comfortable if you are fully aware of what you are paying for.

Make sure that you know exactly how much extra fees you will be paying each month before you sign anything. Some dumpster rentals charge a hefty fee for extra fees such as junk removal and trash removal, so make sure you know this before you rent. Find out how often you will have to schedule the trash pickup as well as when your garbage will be picked up. Some dumpsters are only delivered on a specific day of the week, and you don’t want to have to worry about another appointment for trash pickup. If you know this ahead of time, you will be able to plan ahead and make sure that you don’t have to waste any time or money by having to wait for the trash to be picked up on a particular date.

Tree Advice

Installing Lightning Protection at Arlington National Cemetery

Bartlett Tree Experts recently participated in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) annual service event. As part of the event, Bartlett installed lightning protection in some of the historic oak trees at Arlington National Cemetery.

lightning protection installation at Arlington National Cemetery
Arborist Climber Eli Swadener installed lightning protection on historic oak at Arlington National Cemetery.

Eli Swadener, an Arborist Climber from Manassas, Virginia, was quoted in an article, “Renewal and Rembrance Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Two Service Locations,” published by the NALP.

Swadener was one of 150 landscape industry professionals who volunteered their time and skills at Arlington National Cemetery on July 19 during NALP’s annual Renewal & Remembrance event. The event is held to honor the men and women buried there. Because his father and grandfather served in the military, Swadener said volunteering at Arlington meant a lot to him. “To be able to contribute and give back is so important and I’m so thankful for the opportunity,” he said.

Swadener installed lightning protection on some of the historic oak trees at Arlington National Cemetery during the event. “A lightning strike can be devastating to a tree in terms of opening up the inner tissue, the heartwood,” he said. “Sometimes it chars but that can result in rot and eventually that could result in structural damage that potentially could lead to it falling from some destructive force later on once it’s weakened. It’s very important for historic trees like this that take hundreds of years to grow.”

The post Installing Lightning Protection at Arlington National Cemetery first appeared on Tree Topics.

Tree Service

What Does Tree Maintenance Include in Fort Worth

tree maintenance services

 

Tree maintenance is something that can seem overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of trees on your property. However, it doesn’t have to be a burden when you know the right professionals. Whether you need tree removal services or a simple trimming job, reliable experts can make the whole process extremely hassle-free for you.

Tree maintenance services are usually a combination of mulching, trimming, and preventative treatments to keep pests and diseases at bay. At Chippers Tree Service, we offer A-to-Z residential and commercial tree care services to cater to the needs of your leafy friends so you can enjoy a healthy yard throughout the year.

Tree Mulching

One of the best things you can do to keep your trees strong is apply mulch to them, especially for the young trees. Mulching is cheap and quick, and offers several benefits to a yard. It insulates the roots providing a buffer from cold and heat, prevents compaction, keeps out the weeds, retains water, and much more.

Tree Stump Grinding

If you want a tree removed, you probably want the whole thing – stump and all – removed from your view. This is why we offer stump grinding services along with tree removal. Our technicians will ground the stump down perfectly to make sure any infestations or re-sprouting doesn’t happen.

Tree Trimming

Are there any dying or dead branches hanging from your tree? We specialize in tree pruning, trimming, and crown reductions. Dead branches or overgrown trees can actually lead to a host of issues that can compromise the safety of your property as well as the health of your yard.

Our certified tree care technicians are experienced and trained to ensure safe tree pruning and trimming services throughout the Fort Worth area.

Tree Cabling and Bracing

Tree cabling and bracing services are designed to reduce stress damage on the trees from heavy foliage, weight of snow or ice, intense rain, and high winds. Think of them as a preventative and proactive way to support a tree that has a weak or poor structure.

At Chippers Tree Service, we install Extra High Strength (EHS) cabling hardware to fortify weak tree limbs or branches. If you notice that your tree is buckling, leaning, or heaving up the soil at the base, or there are any cracks or cavities in the wood, schedule a tree risk assessment. Our technicians will identify the weak points in the tree and determine whether cabling and bracing is an ideal option.

Once the cable and brace has been installed, a little bit of tree maintenance will be required every now and then. The hardware will also need to be inspected every few months by a professional.

 

The post What Does Tree Maintenance Include in Fort Worth appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

Tree Service

4 Reasons Why You May Need To Call Tree Removal Services

tree removal services

 

Many homeowners don’t realize how frequently they actually need Fort Worth tree removal services. While there are so many beautiful trees that grow in the Fort Worth area, we also see a lot of trees around that need to be removed from the place that they’ve spent the past decade or so growing.

Since we are certified and trained professionals with 15+ years of experience in the tree care industry, we can usually tell from a glance when a tree needs to be removed. But not many property owners are aware of those telltale signs. To help you with that, here are some of the most common situations in which a tree needs to be removed:

The tree has become infected

Have you heard that saying, one rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel? It’s the same with an infected tree. It can wreak havoc on your entire yard. Depending on what type of tree it is, a seemingly small infection can quickly spread to the surrounding trees and bushes and then to the rest of the landscape.

Once the infected has spread to a larger area, taking care of it becomes a much more expensive and daunting process. The easiest way to handle this issue is to get the diseased or infected tree removed from the yard.

The tree is dead

Dead trees are like a homing beacon for all sorts of termites, raccoons, squirrels, and pests who love to make a home in there. If you don’t get a dead tree removed from your property, it can become a hotspot of nasty critters that will eventually damage your whole yard.

The tree is extremely unhealthy

If a tree in your yard refuses to thrive no matter how much effort is put into it, it’s best to get it removed. It doesn’t take long for a sickly tree to die altogether, in which case, as mentioned above, it will invite all kinds of pests and animals.

How to tell if a tree is unhealthy? Check the density of branches at its crown. Do you notice any branches that are starting to collect at the bottom of the trunk? Is the tree starting to thin out? If so, the tree is not well.

The tree is outgrowing

If there are a bunch of trees that seem to be all growing in the same spot, you’ll notice that they either have stunted growth or they are starting to die. This happens because overcrowding makes it nearly impossible for the sunlight, air, and water to reach the roots. In these cases, you will need to call tree removal services to get all or most of the trees removed.

The post 4 Reasons Why You May Need To Call Tree Removal Services appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

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Tree Advice

Healthy Trees from the Ground Up

Everyone looks up when observing trees. However, you’ll often find arborists looking down! That’s because when it comes to assessing tree health, one of the most critical factors is a healthy root system. Focusing solely on noticeable issues in the canopy, like yellowing leaves, may cause you to miss the culprit responsible for those issues, which is often found below ground.

Common Root and Soil Issues

There are many concerns for tree roots. Disease is often found in the root system. One widespread example is root rot. Trees with root rot may have stunted growth, discolored leaves or dieback, but the real problem lies underground. Another frequent source of injury to the roots is damage from lawnmowers or other yard equipment.  For example, driving over an exposed tree root can result in irreparable harm, making it difficult for the tree to transport water and nutrients from the root system.

Problems also occur when you plant trees too deep or pile too much mulch against the trunk. The root flare, where the roots flare out from the trunk, should be visible. Covering this part of the tree in soil or mulch retains moisture against the trunk, promoting development of disease and hiding conditions like girdling roots.

For trees growing in urban and suburban landscapes, poor growing conditions are commonplace and unlike the ideal conditions found in the forest. Soil often lacks nutrients that growing trees need. Other environmental circumstances, such as compaction, further hinder root and tree growth.

These hidden problems threaten the health of the entire tree and should be treated as soon as possible.

What to Look for

The first thing to look for is the root collar, the transition area between the trunk and roots. There should be a visible flare. A tree should not grow straight from the ground like a telephone pole. If there is no root flare, it’s best to contact a Certified Arborist to discuss next steps. You’ll want to remove excess soil or mulch without damaging roots.

Further, you should to consider the soil. Is it lacking nutrients? Is it compacted? Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are compressed. Causes might include foot traffic, heavy snow or vehicles. When the soil under a tree is compacted, porous spaces in the soil are reduced, making it difficult for roots to extend and absorb water and nutrients. Compacted soil should be tilled and amended with organic matter and nutrients. Address soil issues to improve growing conditions for roots.

n Ideal Solution

Root InvigorationTM is a program designed to repair damaged soils, creating a beneficial growing environment that will encourage root development. The process leverages a supersonic air tool to aerate the soil, without damaging delicate small roots. Next, soil amendments are added to address nutrient deficiencies and increase organic matter content. Addition of biochar can further enhance soil quality. Biochar sequesters carbon and adds vital pore space, improving the soil and increasing plant health.

As a result of Root Invigoration, you can expect renewed growth and health of trees. Treated trees will experience less dieback and have greater pest resistance, a denser canopy, and enhanced color.

The post Healthy Trees from the Ground Up first appeared on Tree Topics.

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Tree Advice

Phytophthora Root Rot Disease

Phytophthora root rot is a disease of many trees and shrubs. The disease derives its name from the Greek language and literally means “plant destroyer.” As such, this is a fitting name for the pathogen, which can kill its host by growing through the roots upward. Phytophthora root rot thrives in wet and poorly drained soil conditions and attacks a wide range of species.

phytophthora root rot on yews
Evidence of phytophthora root rot on yews.

Most Susceptible Tree and Shrubs Species

azaleaboxwoodconifersdaphnedogwoodhollyjunipertaxusrhododendron

A soil-borne microorganism, Phytophthora species are more closely related to brown algae than to fungi. Phytophthora root rot grows and produces spores under wet soil conditions. The spores (known as zoospores) have flagella that allow them to easily move through water. First, the zoospores germinate and infect fine roots. When conditions favor development of the pathogen, it will progress into larger roots, the root flare and even into the stem. Consequently, a serious infection that has spread throughout the root system can cause the eventual death of the plant.

Plants with root disease appear as unhealthy; leaves will become yellow and stunted, and new growth slows. Further, the roots of affected plants will be black and shriveled. Symptoms will vary based on the type of tree or shrub impacted.

Preventing and Treating Phytophthora Root Rot

Phytophthora species can persist in the soil for many years, spreading to nearby plants when it rains or plants are watered. With this in mind, it is particularly important to pay attention to the soil conditions in which your trees and shrubs are growing. To further protect your plants, ensure trees and shrubs live in well-drained soils that are amended with organic matter. Additionally, you should carefully monitor irrigation to prevent saturated soil.

Plants exhibiting early stages of root disease may respond well to soil treatments with systemic fungicides and cultural practices. However, plants with later stages of disease are unlikely to recover. Therefore, preventive management is the best course of action. The most essential step to protecting plants from Phytophthora root rot is maintaining good soil drainage.

The post Phytophthora Root Rot Disease first appeared on Tree Topics.