Monthly Archives: August 2019

How often should you mulch?

tree with mulch

What is the meaning of mulching in agriculture?

The process of mulching is likely something that you have heard of but you may not be familiar with how it works. It is a practice that can protect not only your garden and lawn, but also your home. The process is relatively simple, but it must be done properly. This article will tell you all about what is actually is, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of using mulch.

Mulching is a process where you place a material on the ground to cover a certain area, which helps to insulate and protect the ground. Some materials that are used include small chips of wood, hulls of ground up nuts, and in some cases, even plastic. The course of action involves laying the material in a layer on the ground evenly. It is something that should be done once a year or so, but if done properly, it can be every 2 years.

What is mulch used for?

There are a variety of reasons why someone may use mulch around their home. One is to protect plants, in order to help them grow. Another is to keep crops from freezing.  However, many people rely on mulching to kill weeds. You can lay down the mulch at your home by yourself, or you can choose a company for your mulching needs.

mulched garden

What are the benefits of mulching?

If you find yourself wondering what the benefits of mulching are, they are numerous. Here are some of the advantages to mulching.

Benefits of Mulching

  • Prevents water from leaving soil. When you place the proper amount of mulch on the ground, it can keep you from losing water in the soil. This allows the ground to stay wet enough for things to grow. You will likely have to water less often and plants are less likely to die.
  • Helps with erosion. If the ground is already wet, it helps the water stay where it is. Mulch keeps water from running around your entire yard or damaging your property, not to mention wreck your whole garden.
  • Helps with nutrient retention. Mulch usually consists of natural materials, it breaks down and releases nutrients into the soil. This is great food for your crops and makes them more likely to grow.
  • Keeps ground warm. It is also a great ground insulator. Even if you live in a warmer climate, the ground can get cold. It protects in the case of sudden changes in temperature as well.
  • Creates a happy ecosystem. Since it allows nutrients to reach the soil, this is good for things besides just the plants. In other words, mulching is helpful in creating an ecosystem where useful bugs and worms want to be as well. This is crucial for the growing process to be successful.

What are the disadvantages of mulching?

You can’t talk about the advantages without talking about the bad things that are associated with mulching.

Disadvantages of Mulching

  • Can be costly. Keeping enough mulch around your house at all times can be costly at times. You may have to focus on specific areas to ensure that you aren’t wasting any money. You can also buy your mulch at certain times of the year, like the spring, to save money.
  • May invite pests into your yard. Sometimes pests like to be near mulch. If you don’t have pests, such as moles, in your garden, it may invite them to come in.
  • Might cause you to get weeds. Depending on what material you use, you may get weeds that you have never seen before. This is especially likely to happen if you are intent on mulching without weeding first.
  • Some mulch can hurt your soil. Some types of mulch may be counterproductive for maintaining your soil. It can take the nutrients out of the soil and make it inhospitable for plant life.

What is the best mulch to use?

The best type of mulch for your needs depends on what material you want to use. There are organic types and options that include different types of materials, including cedar, nutshells, and straw. You should check out your favorite online retailer or Amazon for some of the most popular types out there. Look for something that is available at a reasonable price and offers a lot of material for the amount.

Can I mulch myself or should I get help?

Anyone that wants to is able to mulch their yard themselves, but it may make more sense to get someone to help you. Then you will know the process has been done correctly. For example, if a professional helps, mulching should be able to protect you better than doing by yourself. In the case of something like a plumbing leak, you’ll want that extra protection for your yard. Moreover, after a company helps you with your yard, it will be easier to maintain in the future.

On the other hand, if you want to do it yourself, and want to keep doing it, there are cost effective options out there. You can recycle old trees you don’t want in your yard by purchasing a mulcher and then you won’t have to pay for bags of mulch anymore. Just be sure to get a mulching cover to go on top of the machine, so it will last longer and stay looking good.

Since mulch should be applied every year or just about every year to your yard, it is important that you know why it should be done. When placed properly, it has advantages that far outweigh the bad things. It is easy to do and will have your yard looking good for years to come. There is even great help you can count on, if you don’t want to do if yourself. If you need assistance with mulching in Fort Worth, TX, you can call Tree Spark at (817) 717-7737. They know what they are doing, and can help you right away!

Is Storm Damage to Trees Covered By Insurance

A Picture of a Tree That Fell On a House.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal After Storm?

We depend a lot on our trees to provide us with shade, better air quality, prevent soil erosion, and to add more value to our property. Because of all they can do, it can be devastating when a tree is damaged during a severe storm. Typically, trees are damaged due to lightning and severe winds. Not only can a storm-damaged tree reduce property values, but it can also damage our homes in the process. When lightning strikes a tree or a wind overturns a tree, there is a big possibility that it can fall onto our home or other property.

Many people wonder if their homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of damages to the tree, but that is not the case. Another thing that people wonder is, “Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal from storm?” Most insurance policies out there will cover damages and removal if the tree topples over due to strong winds and hail. If the tree falls on your fence or on your garage, then your insurance might not necessarily cover the damages. It’s important to note that there is a caveat when it comes to insurance covering storm damage tree removal and damage. If the tree needed to be removed before the storm occurred and wasn’t, then you might have to pay for the cost of removal and damages.

In the event that a tree on your property falls onto your home during a storm, it’s important to know what you should do. So what to do if tree falls on house during storm? Here is a step by step guide of what you need to do.

  • Get Out of the House: If a tree lands on top of your house, you will want to leave your home right away and get to a safe place.
  • Contact the Police: This is a dangerous situation to be in, but by calling the police they can dispatch the fire department or someone from the utility department to make sure your home is safe from fires or electrical issues, as well as checking your power.
  • Call Your Insurance Provider: The next thing you will want to do is call your insurance company to see if your insurance covers this type of damage.
  • Communicate with a Roofer: Most likely a tree will fall on your roof, so you will need to call a roofer for roof storm damage repair.
  • Get Storm Damage Tree Removal: Whether a tree has fallen on your roof, in driveway, or fence, you will need an arborist to come out and provide storm damage tree removal service.

What Happens If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls in My Yard?

In a situation where a severe storm causes your neighbor’s tree to fall in your yard, you might wonder what steps you should take. If your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, all you need to do is call your insurance company. After your deductible has been met, your insurance provider should be able to cover the cost of storm damage tree removal, as well as damages to your property. In a reverse situation, people ask, “Who is liable if my tree falls on my neighbor’s property?” If your tree falls onto their property, then they will need to call their insurance company to cover the cost of damage and tree removal. The only times where you would have to cover the cost is if the storm was pretty minor and the tree fell over. This can only mean that the tree was diseased, unstable, or dying, so you would be responsible since the tree was already weak.

How to Repair Storm Damaged Trees

Trees that are harmed during a storm can be saved if the damage isn’t too severe. There are ways to repair the tree so that you can keep your tree intact. If a tree has a broken branch, then you can prune other branches in order to prevent damage. If there is a small split in your tree, you can leave it alone to heal on its own. In the case of a medium split, then you can even out the bark to make sure it heals. In situations where there are branches that are hanging, the canopy is uneven, you can see the roots of the tree, or the tree is completely toppled over, then you need to call a professional arborist for services.

Storm Damage Tree Cleanup

A Picture of a Tree That Fell On a House After a Severe Storm.

Storm Damage Tree Removal Cost

When a tree in your yard has fallen onto your property, you will need to get in touch with tree specialists for help. The cost to remove storm damaged trees ranges from $150 to $1,000, but you can contact your insurance provider to see if your policy covers storm damage tree removal and damage. For storm damaged tree cutting and storm damage tree removal in Fort Worth, TX, contact Tree Spark! We are able to provide tree excavation services in order to remove storm-damaged trees. To talk with one of our arborists about this type of service, please call us at (817) 717-7737!