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What Causes Oak Galls?
I recently received some pictures of some weird looking growths in an Oak tree. They looked like a growth called a gall, which looks like a tumor growing on a branch or leaf. They are usually the result of the feeding or egg laying of certain insects that cause the plant's cells to multiply at a dizzying rate. Immature stages of the insect or the larva feed on the inside of the gall and often use the gall as protection from predators. The g
What is that Strange Looking Weed in my Yard?
This is the time of year that most grasses "go to seed." It is a normal process and usually a sign of healthy growing grass. Seeing all those seed heads can be a mystery to some people and they think their lawn is being overrun by some weird weed. I assure you that what you are seeing is not a weed. It is just seed heads, a normal component of grass seeding. My customers have told me that they don't collect the clippings when the grass goes to seed s
A Very Happy Memorial Day from Spring-Green to Military Members and Veterans!
Memorial Day is a special time to acknowledge all that United States military members and veterans do for our country – and at Spring-Green, we feel additional gratitude to the many veterans who have contributed to our success throughout the years. They have done so both in corporate leadership positions, like Spring-Green chairman Tom Hofer who is a Navy veteran, as well as Army veteran and business consultant Aaron Gieser. A large percentage of Spring-Green franch
Why Is My Lawn So Bumpy?
This is a question that many customers have asked over the years. It seems to be more of a concern in the spring than at any other time of year. The unevenness or "bumpiness" is caused by the normal activity of earthworms. As they move up and down within the soil profile, they will surface to look for organic material to pull underground on which to feed. When they surface, they leave behind small piles of soil and mucus called castings. These castings are very rich in beneficial microorganisms that help to breakdown thatch and provide nutrients to the surrounding plants. The holes that they leave behind help with lawn aeration as well. So, how do you make your lawn less bumpy? Generally, rain or irrigation will help to dissolve the casting piles. Normal lawn care such as mowi
Lawn Care Day of Service Project in Central & Northern Illinois
On Saturday, April 20, the Illinois Professional Lawn Care Association (IPLCA) completed a service project at the Danville National Cemetery in Danville, Illinois. This is the second year in a row that we have provided lawn care and landscape services to help beautify the grounds at the cemetery. Member companies from Central and Northern Illinois pitched in to aerate, over seed, fertilize, add new plant materials and spread mulch to selected areas across the cemetery grounds. This project was in conjunction with our national organization, the Professional Land Care Network or PLANET . Every year PLANET organizes Green Industry companies across the U.S. to volunteer their time and resources and provide lawn care and landscaping services to various community locations. The IPLCA has
What Do You Do About Dog Damage?
One of the more frequent questions I receive concerns ways to repair dog damage to a lawn, especially in the weeks after the snow has melted away. If you live in the Snow Belt, you realize that sometimes it is difficult for your dog to find a place to relieve itself. Piles of snow, drifts and the size of the dog can hamper its ability to use different spots, so they often end up using the same spot. When the rest of the lawn begins to green up, the damaged spots show up like a sore thumb. The damage to the lawn is the result of the salt and ammonia found in the dog's urine. It is very concentrated and usually deposited in one spot. Female dogs typically urinate in one spot, which is why they usually cause the majority of the damage. Male dogs usually look for an upright structure, such
Does My Tree Have a Disease?
I have received several pictures of trees with what looks like some type of weird growth on the bark. I have received these questions many times in the past and what people think is a tree disease is actually an organism known as lichens. Lichens are a composite organisms consisting of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner growing together in a symbiotic relationship. They are known to grow in almost every climate found on earth. They can grow in deserts and in the arctic. They will grow on rocks, buildings, walls, roofs and trees and shrubs. They are long-living organisms that can survive droughts and floods. They can be used to make dyes and serve as food for many creatures, even humans. Lichens are very beneficial to nature's ecosystem. As lichens grow on rocks or inhabit barren
Going Green at Spring-Green
Making lawns and landscapes healthy and beautiful has been the main focus of Spring-Green for over 35 years. We are a leader in the Be Green movement that is on top of most people’s thoughts nowadays. The benefits of a healthy lawn are numerous and by being on Spring-Green’s environmentally safe lawn care program, you are also helping our environment. It has been estimated that there are over 30 million acres of lawns in the United States. Lawns remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the atmosphere. They have a cooling effect and contribute oxygen at the same time. Lawns also reduce noise pollution, runoff, and filters water as it moves down through the dense bio-system of the roots. A well-maintained lawn and landscape adds significantly to a home’s value. The Benefits of Gre
Squirrel Damage: The Feeding Habits of Red Squirrels
A colleague of mine recently sent me an article from Michigan State University on squirrel damage and what the Red Squirrel can do to a tree, specifically, to the buds of numerous trees in their unending search for food. Often times, they will chew off the last foot or so of a branch, feed on newly emerging buds and throw away the limb after feeding. I have seen this occur on my own tree, usually in the early spring, just as the tree is beginning to bud out. Red squirrels, also called pine squirrels, and are native to the U.S. They can be found from Alaska, throughout Canada, south to the Appalachians and west to the Rocky Mountains. They mainly feed on the seeds of conifer cones and usually stay near areas where those tr
Why are There Still Leaves on my Tree?
I recently received a question from a person asking why their ash tree still has leaves on it at this late date. The person stated that some leaves were turning brown during the summer and that they figured it was due to the drought that much of the Midwest experienced this year. There are some trees that keep leaves that turn a fall color for a long time. Some of them remain on the tree all the way until spring. Ironwood, certain oaks and beeches are a few of the trees that keep their leaves on for a longer time than most other deciduous trees. Sometimes this is just the quality of the tree and sometimes it can be the result of some other stress factors. In the