Tree Carving Initials – Lovers, Valentines Beware!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and young lovers are already daydreaming about romantic ideas to show their affection. One of the oldest ways to symbolically show devotion is a simple but sweet gesture: carving initials into a tree that will grow as your love grows. Unfortunately, there are a few problems with this otherwise charming idea – it may be wise to think twice before pulling out the pocketknife! 

Spare the Bark, Save a Tree

When couples decide to carve their initials into a tree, they do it with the intention of creating a lasting impression – an eternal testament to their undying love. It sounds great in theory, until one considers that trees are definitely not permanent, and carving anything into the soft flesh only serves to leave the tree vulnerable to disease. For the same reason that proper pruning is so important, fresh wounds on a tree invites a plethora of insects, fungus, and parasites that can quickly kill an otherwise healthy tree. 

Staying in Line with the Law

Besides the overall health of the tree, there is another huge reason that young lovers may not want to express their love on a living surface. Unless you’re planning to carve up a tree on your own property, you can almost bet that defacing public trees in your area is considered vandalism. If you get caught, good luck denying it: you’ve already left evidence far more powerful than a fingerprint! Avoid this problem by planting a new tree in your yard or (with permission) your local park - you do not even need to carve anything to make a lasting impression! 

Sweet, Sweet Alternatives

Instead of potentially getting a fine or harming a tree, consider showing your love in a more permanent and thoughtful way. A wooden knick-knack box or picture frame could be a wonderful host for your carving desires – the product of your affection will last much longer and can be treasured without any travel. Embroidery allows couples to put their initials anywhere they want: on a pillow, a bath robe, a tapestry… The possibilities are endless! With a little creativity, you can have a lasting relic of your love that suits your intentions with perfection.  

Easy Tree Stump Removal

Okay, so, the title of this article is kind of a joke. There is no such thing as quick or simple removal without contacting a lawn care professional. Unfortunately, tree stumps can take up huge amounts of space in a potential garden- so their existence can be quite a burden until they finally degrade years later. So how can we accomplish the daunting task of removing an unsightly stump? Either you can gather up the commitment to take care of the headache yourself, or you can hire somebody to do the job for you. Whichever way you choose to take back your yard, you will enjoy the freedom to plant a new tree, extend your garden, or just enjoy soft luscious grass.

Do it Yourself

The stump removal process begins with our favorite tool: the chain saw. The stump should be cut down as close to the ground as possible to remove the excess wood. After you are left with just a small amount of stump it is time to drill a few holes to fill with nitrogen fertilizer. Then it’s time to soak the entire area, roots and all, with water before covering with a tarp. Mulch and stones will keep the tarp in place while providing the perfect atmosphere for moisture and decomposition. Now it’s time to kick back and remain patient. This method only speeds up the natural decaying process of the tree stump- reducing the decomposition period by years! Of course, there is a much faster way to get the job done…

Choose a Professional

Yeah, as much as we all love the entire idea of DIY, sometimes you just have to give in to the people with the right tools. A tree service professional should have no problem undertaking the task of stump grinding, which means that your month long job could be completed in just hours! What these professionals do is utilize a powerful piece of machinery that will grind away the stump and remaining roots, leaving the ground fertile and ready for beautiful new growth. What’s left behind after stump grinding is basically all-natural mulch. Homeowners often go this route so that they can avoid the stench of rotting trunk hanging around the yard for months. To be honest- I don’t blame them!

Preventing Winter Tree Damage

Winter tree damage can come in many forms: from minor headaches to expensive disasters. Many people keep a close eye on their gardens, but many homeowners falsely believe that trees can hold their own during the harsh cold season. Even if you have already prepared your trees extensively for winter it’s difficult to predict how each year’s changing weather is going to effect your investments and property. The hardiest and most established of trees still face significant damage if the homeowner doesn’t keep a keen eye.

Inspection- Better Late than Never

It may seem like mid-December is a bad time to be thinking about potential winter tree damage, but the standard rule still applies: bad luck is impossible to prepare for. Take a special look at aged, leaning, or previously damaged trees as they are the most susceptible to the forces of wintery nature. Exposed and isolated trees in residential landscapes are often the biggest risk, so keep note of damages sustained over previous years. 

Common Threats

Ice Damage: Frozen water can affect trees in many different ways. Cracks can become filled with moisture and then burst open to create a huge crack. Weight is also another issue for many trees, whether it is due to an accumulation of snow or ice. Be aware of how low the branches are hanging over power lines, because branches are surprisingly flexible and can cause expensive damages that may result in lawsuits against the property owner. Make sure that a tree service professional is contacted for emergency winter trimming if there is any possibility that power lines may be affected. 

Winter Moths: For the past ten years, homeowners on the south coast have experienced a rather startling increase in invasive tan moths which swarm windows and headlights during the early December months. These pests land on trees and deposit eggs- their offspring are responsible for defoliating and ultimately killing hundreds of thousands of acres of trees each year. The larvae feed on the tender buds of springtime trees. Late winter is a great time to begin spraying trees for this pest, although winter birds like cardinals are thought to enjoy the otherwise unwelcome guest.

Maintaining a Drought Resistant Lawn in San Antonio

San Antonio watering bans can get pretty strict in times of drought. The laws make sense, but they can be a pain for a homeowner or business owner to keep good looking lawns when you can only water once a week. One alternative is xerixcaping, creating ornamental grass-free lawns, or even making an edible landscape. For those who aren’t green thumbed or have a budget to think about, simply choosing a different type of grass can eliminate the need for constant watering and keep those brown spots out.

High Shade

Horseherb is a great variety for difficult to handle areas. It can handle high amounts of shade, constant foot traffic, and can be mowed if desired. Although this variety doesn’t get very tall, some owners still prefer the appearance of a freshly trimmed lawn. The one major issue with this groundcover is that it invades every inch of space, from your lawn to your neighbors, with almost no way to combat it from coming back after you have switched. Pruning or trimming trees to raise the canopy may let a little light filter through for more desirable strains of shade tolerant grass such as St. Augustine. 

Mixed Shade

Originally a weed, Dichondra makes a very attractive groundcover for areas that don’t take grass well. In the shade or sun, this velvety groundcover has broad leaves that cover the ground like carpet. As long as there is decent drainage, the Dichondra is hardy without needing much mowing. Zoysia needs a deep watering every two or so weeks, but also works great in dappled shade.  

Low/No Shade

Buffalo grass is a great idea for those who don’t need lush greenery and would rather save money and maintenance. It needs more than six hours of direct sun a day. It’s Texas native and doesn’t need any additional water. Since it is native, buffalo grass is meant to live with several other types of grasses. You may have weed problems, this is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly options available to San Antonio. Blue grama is another native variety that is beautiful, soft, and stands up against a neighbor’s invasive Bermuda grass lawn.

Fast Growing Trees

When planting trees on your property, you may want to reap the benefits of a fully grown tree as soon as possible. Of course, who wouldn’t want comfortable shade and fresher local air sooner? Luckily, there are several species of tree that won’t make you wait ten to twenty years for decent height and stature.

3. Lombardy Poplar
Lombardy poplars are an extremely versatile tree variety that has cropped up all over the United States. These trees are often planted in rows, as a windbreak or as an attractive property line. This poplar happens to grow a speedy 8-10 ft. per year, meaning that you will quickly have tall trees. In just three years, you can have a 40 ft tree!

2. Willow Hybrid
These hybrids are the fastest growing willow. They grow to be thick and lusciously green. These trees can become rather tall when mature, up to 75 feet! New homeowners often want to go the natural route when it comes to privacy fences, and planting this tree variety in rows will ensure you will have one quickly- growing 6-12 ft per year.

1. Empress Tree
If you are planting a tree for mostly visual purposes the Empress, or Paulownia, may be an excellent choice. These trees produce fragrant, colorful blooms. The timber itself is very valuable. This tree has a unique aesthetic quality and will make your yard look absolutely beautiful. These trees can be planted over most of the United States, and will grow an astonishing 10-15 feet per year until it reaches its mature height of 50 feet.


These three species of tree are all very versatile, and your local tree planting expert should be well versed in these popular varieties! Most of us don’t want to wait up to ten years for a proud, tall tree. That’s why planting one of these fast growing varieties may be a great investment for you.

When Not to Cut Trees Yourself

Sad as it may be to have to cut down a tree, if you are a property owner with trees on your land, sooner or later the time will come when you will probably need to cut one down. If your tree is sick or dead, or growing in a way that endangers you or your neighbors, you'll have to take care of the situation. Unfortunately, tree cutting can be a very dangerous activity to engage in if you do not know how to do it correctly.

There are myriad times when, no matter what, you simply should not cut down a tree yourself. If this is the case, you'll need to pay a professional tree service to remove the tree. This is often the case in urban areas where cutting a tree down in a specific place is simply too dangerous for an untrained person to do it with a simple chainsaw. Here are some other examples below.

Trees and Power Lines
To begin, never cut down a tree that is next to a power line. If a tree falls on the electric power lines there is a very real danger of fire and electrocution. There is also a very good possibility that you will have to pay for any damage you to do the power line! And, not to mention it, I guarantee you that your neighbors will not be very happy with if you cause a power outage :)

Instead, call the electric company responsible for the power line and ask them what to do. There is a good chance the utility company can come to your residence and cut the trees for you. If not, they can give you a list of commercial tree professionals who can safely work around the power lines.

Trees and Houses
Another time not to cut down a tree is when you have a large tree very close to your home (or your neighbors’ home). If the tree falls on a house it could do tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. If the tree falls on your neighbor’s property you will be responsible for any damage that the tree does. I recommend if this is the case that you call a tree service professional to cut down large trees if there is a possibility tree will fall on your home or business or a neighbor’s home or business.

Trees and Roads
Finally never cut down a tree yourself if there is a possibility that it could fall on a public road or street, a public highway or railroad tracks. You don’t want to do this because if the tree falls on a vehicle or causes an accident you will be responsible for any damage it causes.

Instead of causing thousands of dollars worth of damage, if your tree is in any of the above categories, call a professional tree service and don't try to remove the tree on your own. There should be professional tree services in your area that can remove trees without causing damage.