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Pruning

Pruning is both functional and esthetic. The functional aspect is just a matter of mechanics and technique, something that can be taught. The esthetic nature is something that you must be born with. This “artistic eye” is something you either have or you don’t. We pride ourselves on our artistic ability at Greenleaf Services LLC

Tree pruning
The benefits of having trees that are attractive in your landscape are obvious. We prune trees to fit the look the customer desires or that the landscape dictates. Much less apparent advantages are:

Less wind resistance = less storm damage
Reduction or elimination of deadwood=greater safety, less mess
Directed growth to where it is best suited= Healthier more efficient plant
Create better air circulation and drying = less rotting of wood work and mold build up on structures

Shrub pruning
Foundation shrubs and other ornamental plants require annual shaping and pruning to provide your home with that curb appeal that is so important. Some the other reasons to prune on a regular basis are:

Size reduction = Longer life to landscape planting
Direct growth to where it is best suited = Healthier more efficient plant
Create better circulation and drying = less rotting of wood work and mold build up on siding
Clear growth from obscuring windows = open views from `and to your home
Keep plants full to screen unwanted views

Tree Removals
Even though our focus is on tree preservation, there are many reasons when their removal is necessary. To name a few

Dead and dying trees pose a serious threat and should be removed before they fall
Hazard trees (storm damaged etc.),even if they are not dead often require removal to be safe
Trees dominating preferred plants are removed to allow the survival of something more important
Trees in the way landscape or home construction

Greenleaf Services, LLC has the equipment and experienced personnel to tackle any tree removal situation.

Stump Removals
After a tree is taken down there still is one more potential step to be taken. The trunk of the tree can only be taken down to a few inches above the existing soil grade. This leaves a stump that may be less than estheticly pleasing. In these cases you have two choices, stump grinding or stump excavation.

Stump grinding
This a process where we bring in a portable machine that whittles away at a stump

Stump excavation

Cabling and Bracing
Many trees have weak branching structures that may lead to splitting. This may cause collateral damage to structures or other landscape plants. It also may necessitate the removal of the damaged tree. This can be a financial burden and could result in a reduction in property value. Cabling and bracing is a relatively inexpensive way to support these weaknesses at a fraction of the cost of what it would be to clean up after the damage occurs. Essentially it is cheap insurance to keep a plant viable.

Plant Health Care
For many people, the purchase of a home is the largest investments they will ever make. Landscape plants and trees are an integral part of this investment It is believed that they can add up to 15% to a property’s value. As with any investment there is maintenance associated. Plant Health care is part of the maintenance involved with improving the landscape’s appearance and vitality. At Greenleaf Services, LLC, we will visit your property and come up with a customized plan to care for your individual plants. The following are the types of programs we offer.

Basic Plant heath Care
We base this program on a visit to your property where we inspect all your trees and shrubs and come up with a custom proposal that includes the season long treatment of any insect, disease or fertilization need found.

Organic plant health care
This is the use of low toxicity organic alternatives to treat insects and disease in your landscape with little or no negative environmental impact.

Integrated Pest Management
This involves a trained Plant Health Care technition making several monitoring visits to your property through out the growing season and the potential use of preventative treatments when needed to maintane healthy trees and shrubs. We also leave notes for the home owner to describe ways that they can help. Ie. watering, removal of excessive mulch, pruning etc.

Deep Root Fertilization
Many trees and shrubs in the residential landscape benefit from Fertilization. We apply a liquid slow release low Nitrogen fertilizer into the soil under pressure. This brakes up soil compaction and adds a slow release balanced fertilizer and micronutrients to the root zone of specific plants.

Tick Control

According to the Center for Disease Control, Connecticut has the highest number of cases of Lyme disease relative to the population of any state. The Ct Department of Public Health states the rising incidence of Lyme disease is due to a number of factors including:

Increased tick abundance
Overabundant deer population
Increased recognition of the disease
Establishment of more residences in wooded areas
Increased potential for contact with ticks

Greenleaf Services LLC wants to help reduce the incidence of this potentially devastating disease by Tick control applications, Habitat reduction, increased public awareness and deer control programs.

Tick Control Applications
Insecticides are proven to be the most effective way to reduce the tick population. You can expect to get up to 90%control. Our typical program makes a spring, summer and fall application. Some customers prefer less and some require more. We have found three applications to get the best control and be the most cost effective. We offer a choice of Organic or Synthetic insecticides.

Habitat reduction
The vast majority of ticks are found in wooded areas where their hosts are present and the humidity is high. Borders adjacent to woodland areas, ground covers, stone walls and wood piles also harbor ticks. Some of the landscape modifications we can do to reduce tick habitats are:

Prune and remove trees to increase sunlight and air circulation
Remove ground covers and weedy, shrubby borders
Prepare a wood chip barrier along wooded borders to lawn

Public awareness
There are several precoutions that the home owner can take to reduce their exposure to ticks:

Wear light colored clothing (to spot the ticks easily), long sleeved shirts and long pants.
Create a “tick barrier” by tucking pants into socks and shirt into pants.
Consider using insect repellent, according to manufacturer’s instructions, when planning to be outdoors.
Check clothing and skin very carefully after being outdoors in tick infested areas.
Remove any ticks as soon as possible after they are discovered.
Keep your lawn mowed, cut overgrown brush, and clear any leaf litter away from the home.
Use a wood chip barrier between any wooded area and the yard.
Inspect pets daily and remove any ticks found.

Deer Control

Discouraging Deer or eliminating them from your property can significantly reduce the tick population. Fencing is the best way to keep deer off the property. For some properties this can be huge and expensive proposition.

The program is designed to maintain plant vigor and initially should include inspections to detect and treat any existing problems that could be damaging or fatal. Thereafter, regular inspections and preventive maintenance help ensure plant health and beauty.