Month: August 2023
The winter weather in Calgary is a challenge for any landscape. Trees and shrubs can sustain damage due to the variable weather. It is important to take care of trees throughout the winter to keep them healthy for next spring’s thaw.
Calgary Landscaping: The Challenges of Winter Weather
Calgary’s unique position in southern Alberta places it right in the path of the warm chinook winds coming off the eastern slopes of the Rockies. The winds pick up speed and strength going through the Bow Valley. This warm wind can cause extreme temperature fluctuations. Add dry air to the mix and you may see tree damage everywhere.
Tip Kill
As the air warms up, but remains dry, the tips of tree branches start to dry out. Since the roots are frozen, they are unable to bring water into the tips to replenish the supply. This leaves the tips starved of moisture, which causes them to die. This condition is known as “tip kill” or “die back”. Common signs are dry twigs and discolored evergreen needles. The damage done can be extensive enough to kill smaller plants. Creating wind breaks or covering plants with mulch are effective options for preventing this kind of damage.
False Spring
Calgary landscaping professionals dread false spring. When the warm Chinook winds stay around longer than normal, it begins to warm the ground. The warm ground can bring trees out of dormancy too early. The sap flows and the tree begins spring growth. When the winter winds return, the freezing temperatures can cause severe damage to the new growth that won’t go away with the approach of real spring.
Another cause of false spring is sun scald. Snow is on the ground and the sun is bright in the sky. As the sun’s rays reflect off the snow, it can cause tree tissues on the south side to start thawing. Then, when the sun goes down, the thawed tissues refreeze. This continual freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw cycle can cause the tree’s bark to split. This can damage inner tissues and even kill the tree. If you notice a split limb or trunk, wrap it to prevent further damage.
Animal Damage
Non-hibernating animals like deer and rabbits are another challenge for Calgary landscaping professionals. They will eat tree bark during winter, plus pillage your perennials and shrubs. This can cause exposure of the tender inner tissues of the tree. Placing wire fencing around the base of the tree is an effective option for preventing this kind of damage.
De-Icing Agents
Plants along sidewalks and near parking areas are vulnerable to any DE-icing agents you put down. Use those DE-icing materials sparingly and only where necessary. Excess use can cause damage and even kill smaller trees and plants.
If you need help with your winter tree care or want a four-season land maintenance company, call us here at Mirage Landscaping. We have been proudly serving the Calgary area for three generations with landscape services and snow removal.
Landscaping is a big business these days, with new homes and
properties coming up in this southwestern state. A lot of homeowners are
wary of landscaping their homes since they are not sure about the kind
of plants that grow in the arid climate of the state without using lots
of water. The good news is that the landscapers can help you with
suggestions of plants which can survive the tough drought conditions.
You may get the landscape of your dreams by incorporating a fire pit,
inbuilt grill, or a pool. The first thing to do is look at your property
as an opportunity instead of a challenge.
The desert terrain of Arizona is characterized with
mild winters and warm summers. This is the perfect setting for outdoor
living round the year. Consider the ways in which your family would like
to spend their time outdoors. You might envision your kids swishing in a
new pool, or friends gathering around the pit. Try the AZ landscaping
ideas if you want to host incredible barbecues. There are primarily two
landscapes – the hardscape and the softscape.
Hardscape: This
includes the fire pit, water features, flooring, fireplace, and the
barbeque. You can create a relaxing environment with a carefully chosen
plant life, although not many pay attention to a decorative structure.
Decking materials, fireplaces, patios and barbeques have a crucial role
to play in your outdoor life. There are actually endless options. You
may choose according to your lifestyle, but the landscape specialists
can pick up the elements that suit your needs and tastes.
Softscape:
Flowers, plants and trees are generally the aspects we think of while
landscaping. Softscapes are usually the most distinctive features in a
landscape, one need to choose them intelligently. The AZ landscape
designers will help you make the horticultural decisions and the right
choice can help you choose wisely. If the trees are placed creatively,
you can create a curb appeal, enhance property value, decrease your
utility bills, and add to your outdoor living space. Once your property
is appraised, the landscape designer creates a personalized plan.
Flowering
plants are ideal for desert landscapes. These are ideal for adding
color and beauty while conserving your time and water. Torch plants and
bougainvillea are ideal for adding different shades and impressiveness
through the year. However, the petals may run your pool. This is why it
is best to go for colored shattered blossoms along the patio to give it a
Mediterranean look.
Terracing the back or front yard is a unique
way to handle sloping terrain. The landscape retaining walls are well
known in Arizona and there are different materials for creating walls,
from DIY projects to elaborate ornamentations by skilled craftsmen.