A living Christmas tree can make this year's holiday season special for many, many years. Selecting the family Christmas tree is an exciting holiday tradition. But instead of buying a cut tree this year, why not choose a living Christmas tree? A decorated living Christmas tree celebrates the holiday season—and then becomes a growing part of your landscape for years to come. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the average retail price of a farm-grown holiday tree is approaching $100. Sure, a freshly cut holiday brings the delightful scent of a pine forest into your home. But for a few dollars more, you can buy a living Christmas tree. A living, container-grown tree can be purchased at local garden centers and some “big box” stores. If strong north winds are a problem in your yard, now is a good time to start planting the first of that hedgerow of evergreens to break the wind. This is the fun way to get the job done. Each living Christmas tree will have its … [Read more...] about How to Choose and Care for a Living Christmas Tree
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Create a Gratitude Tree for Thanksgiving
November is the perfect time to create a Gratitude Tree for your family. After all, November is the month for giving thanks. Making a Gratitude Tree gives you a tangible way to count your blessings, and this project is a fun activity to do with your kids or grandkids. A Gratitude Tree (also known as a Thankful Tree) provides a way for you and your family to think about and write down the blessings in your lives. Why? Because we’ve all got lots to be thankful for, but sometimes we forget to take time out of our busy days to simply say “thank you” for all of the good things we are blessed to experience. Did you know Amazon had an outlet store? Check out what's on sale at the Amazon Outlet! What is a Gratitude Tree? Your gratitude tree can be as simple as a drawing of tree branches upon which you attach leaves. I prefer to use an actual tree branch or a few branches put into a vase for the “tree.” (You can even buy a Gratitude Tree kit online. But … [Read more...] about Create a Gratitude Tree for Thanksgiving
Best Battery Powered Chainsaws
The best battery powered chainsaws can now compete with gas-powered chainsaws for most homeowner uses. Cordless electric, battery powered chainsaws pack plenty of power to cut firewood, fell dying trees and prune branches. Plus, the best battery powered chain saws are easier to use, easier to start, quieter, and run cleaner with no fumes. There are now many different models of battery-powered chainsaws, so it’s important to choose the right chainsaw for your needs. That’s why Home, Garden and Homestead looked at the best cordless electric chainsaws and ranked them according to power, cutting time, and price. Our favorite battery-powered chainsaw models are described below. Editor’s note: A battery powered chainsaw is also known as a cordless electric chainsaw or cordless chainsaw. If you’re in the market for other cordless electric outdoor tools, read Best Cordless Leaf Blowers and Top Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers. Battery Power and Convenience How can a … [Read more...] about Best Battery Powered Chainsaws
Top Fruit Trees for Backyard Orchards
Plant a few top fruit trees for backyard orchards on your property, and your taste buds will thank you. There is nothing quite like fruit trees in the landscape to delight the eyes and nose with springtime blossoms. And there's nothing a wonderful as biting into freshly picked homegrown apple or peach. That's why we've chosen the top fruit trees for backyard orchards that will grow almost anywhere. Selecting the right kind of fruit tree to grow in a landscape comes down to two main factors: the varieties of trees that grow well in your area and your own personal taste. According to Ed Laivo, fruit tree specialist for Natural Hills Nursery, the top fruit trees described below have proven to be dependable growers in the widest range of climates and are better than others when it comes to consistent fruit production and flavor of the fruit. Here are Laivo’s top recommendations for backyard fruit trees that will produce bushels of delicious fruit, year after year. Top Fruit … [Read more...] about Top Fruit Trees for Backyard Orchards
Tree Trimming Tips
Tree trimming is a regular part of maintaining a yard and garden. In this guide, we offer tree trimming tips that help keep trees healthy while giving your yard a professional look. Many people don’t realize that tree trimming is also a way to avoid hazards. That’s because overgrown trees can fall in high winds or even provide an obstacle for traffic. Editor’s Note: Trimming trees and pruning trees are two slightly different things. Pruning typically refers to removing dead or infected branches. Trimming is usually cutting back overgrown trees and plants. In this story, we cover primarily tree trimming. The Importance of Tree Trimming Doing a good job of trimming your trees is vital to the health of the trees. Overgrown trees can grow through electrical wires or other essential cables. Trees can fall during high winds, and this can cause damage to houses, cars and even injure people. Avoiding property damage and personal injury are reason enough to properly trim your … [Read more...] about Tree Trimming Tips
