(702) 564-1998
WATER SMART CONVERSIONS

WATER SMART CONVERSIONS

Feb 26, 2020

As Southern Nevadans, we must come to the realization as desert dwellers, we live in an arid climate and that we are prone to years of long droughts. All you have to do is look to the bathtub ring around Lake Mead to see the toll years of drought has taken on our desert landscape. Although we exceeded our annual average rainfall total in 2019, we are already tracking behind this year for the same time last year at just .27 inches of rain so far for 2020.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) encourages residents of Greater Las Vegas and beyond to be conscientious when it comes to water conservation. Although lush green lawns can be beautiful, they are not sensible or practical for our dry climate. The SNWA offers money savings incentives to convert to water smart landscaping.  Their rebate program has already helped to upgrade more than 193 million square feet to water-efficient landscaping, saving billions of gallons of water. You’ll also see a significant savings on your monthly water bill too. There’s no better time to convert to water smart landscaping! Call us to schedule an appointment with our Landscape Department to help you create a beautiful, desert friendly design just for you!  

Check out SNWA’s website by clicking on the link below:

https://www.snwa.com/rebates/wsl/index.html

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TREE INJECTION TECHNOLOGY

TREE INJECTION TECHNOLOGY

Feb 19, 2020

Tree (or trunk) injection technology is increasingly replacing seasonal spray treatments of trees while providing an invaluable ecological service in landscapes and urban zones by reducing the exposure of topically applied chemicals to the environment from spray drift. Tree injection is a more effective method of target precise application of various plant health treatments into the xylem vascular tissue of a tree with the purpose of protecting the tree from various pests, fungal or bacterial issues and/or for the correction of nutrition deficiencies.

While keeping the chemical product sealed in the tree, there’s no exposure to the environment as in spray applications, and there’s no exposure to the soil by drenching it with chemicals, another commonly used method of application. A surgically sealed septum is used to ensure the product stays in the tree and ensures against pests or pathogens entering the tree through the injection site. Depending on the type of application, injection technology can protect a tree for as long as two years. Not only is tree injection safer for the environment, it’s also a much safer for licensed applicators.

First Choice Tree Service offers tree injection services for plant health and uses Arborjet products. For more information, please call our office and ask for our Director of Plant Health Care, Garret Schumer. You can also watch the video below for more information about Arborjet and their tree injection technology.

PLANT HEALTH ON WINDY DAYS

PLANT HEALTH ON WINDY DAYS

Feb 5, 2020

It’s another windy day in Las Vegas. Ever wonder why we call our plant health customers to reschedule their service on windy days? Licensed applicators are mandated by the Nevada Department of Agriculture to strictly follow label instructions without exception on many of the chemicals used for plant health.  Most restricted use chemicals have wind guidelines to negate drifting or unwanted contamination outside the service site.

Other reasons we adhere to wind guidelines is due to the nature of the chemical. Whether it’s a fertilizer or pre-emergent application that is tinted and can stain or leave unwanted residue on homes, vehicles or outdoor furniture; or another treatment application that could put spray techs at risk, it’s best to always consider best practices on whether to spray plant health applications during wind events.

Although rescheduling applications due to wind at times inconveniences our customers, First Choice Tree Service always takes care to follow label instructions, adhere to state mandated guidelines, and do what’s best for our customers and the safety of our spray techs.

GOING GREEN

GOING GREEN

Jan 29, 2020

First Choice Tree Service is “GOING GREEN” by recycling approximately 99% of the “green waste” that is generated from our tree operations. We process an average of 40 tons of green waste material each day. The waste material is then processed into firewood and wood chips.

Firewood is traditionally the most common use of large branches and logs. The wood from our completed jobs is transported back to our yard where it is separated, stacked, and split for firewood. This firewood is then sold to be used to heat local homes in our communities and for outdoor activities such as camping. We even contribute firewood to worthy organizations such as local Boys and Girl Scout troops for their events.  

Other green waste is processed to produce wood chips. As wood chips decay, they release organic material back into the soil, enhancing the quality of the soil, which ultimately improves the health of the surrounding plant material. Our trained staff meticulously sorts and removes as much as possible palm, oleander and salt cedar material from our wood chips, making it safe for plants and trees; or even as ground cover, as in at local pumpkin patches/Christmas tree lots. You may have even seen or noticed our wood chips at UNLV Cooperative Extension’s orchard or at Gilcrease Orchard in North Las Vegas.           

Our firewood and wood chip products are available to local residents and businesses at our yard located at 2155 Pama Lane, Las Vegas, NV. Call our office at 702-564-1998 for pricing.

PRUNING YOUNG TREES

PRUNING YOUNG TREES

Jan 22, 2020

Proper pruning during the life span of a tree is important to sustain good health. However, pruning trees when they are younger reduces the amount of large limb removal as they mature. Pruning large branches on mature trees leave large wounds, increasing the tree’s vulnerability to disease and infestation. The larger the wound, the larger the surface for the introduction of disease to the tree. The smaller the wound, the faster the wound will seal and ward off infection.

A Certified Arborist will ask several questions before pruning younger trees. What is the objective? What is the reason the tree was planted in a particular spot in the first place? Was it for providing shade, noise reduction, and/or wind block? Or was it planted for fruit production, increase property value, prevent soil erosion, or improve mental or physical health in recovery? Or is the reason environmental? These questions should be addressed with property owners prior to the pruning process and communicated to the person doing the actual pruning.

Here are three major reasons trees are typically pruned:

  • HEALTH: Sanitation. Removal of dead, diseased and damaged limbs. Thinning- improve penetration of light and air.
  • APPEARANCE: Shape for aesthetic purposes, natural form and growth habit.
  • SAFETY OF PROPERTY AND PEOPLE: Storm damaged limbs, hangers or widowmakers, raising over walkways, parking, clearing lighting and cameras.

Once the reason the tree was planted is established, the arborist can approach the pruning process of a younger tree with this in mind. Pruning may proceed with first removing dead or damaged limbs, and/or cross or competing limbs. The amount of pruning and/or if to prune will be determined by the density and health of the canopy. The arborist may recommend waiting another season or two for the canopy and root system to further establish. He/she will also take care not to over prune to prevent sun scorch or deprive the tree of much needed sugars through photosynthesis.

Your arborist can advise you on the best time to start and how much pruning your young trees need to thrive and become beautiful, healthy mature trees. First Choice has five experienced Certified Arborists on staff ready to answer all of your pruning questions.

 

Written by Mike Cooper & Veronica Leary
Photo by UMAINE Extension