How to Properly Prune Your Trees

How to Properly Prune Your Trees

Pruning your trees is an important part of maintaining the health and beauty of your Midwest landscape. Properly pruned trees can have stronger, more resilient branches and a more attractive overall shape.

However, pruning can also be harmful if not done correctly, so it’s important to follow a few key steps to ensure that your trees are pruned properly.

Why You Should Have Your Trees Pruned

First, it’s important to understand why you should prune your trees. Pruning helps to remove dead or damaged branches, which can prevent the spread of disease and insects. It can also help to shape the tree, directing its growth in a way that is more aesthetically pleasing.

Additionally, pruning can help to improve the tree’s overall health and vigor.

Failure to prune can also pose a safety risk. In the city of Sioux Falls, for example, homeowners often receive letters regarding Project T.RI.M. This is a proactive tree inspection program to address low-hanging tree branches over streets and sidewalks. It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain safe walkways for pedestrians.

Doing It Yourself? Consider The Risks.

We certainly recommend that you hire a certified and licensed arborist to perform your tree pruning. However, if you decide to do it yourself, please only do so for lightweight branches that you can safely reach from the ground.

We all like to save a buck, but let’s be smart. Only certified arborists should prune branches that:

Require any climbing to reach
Are large or heavy
Hang near or over property like a rooftop or cars
Might be diseased or infected

Also, a professional is insured should any damages occur. A branch may fall on your roof, and wouldn’t it be better to have them foot that bill? Or, what if you injure yourself while attempting to prune your trees, ending up with an urgent care cost?

By choosing a professional like Weller Brothers, you can have peace of mind knowing we are insured and will also carry out a risk assessment before working on your trees.

Now, do you simply have lightweight branches hanging over your sidewalk that need to be cut back? Okay, you can probably handle that.

Let’s talk about how to do it properly.

How to Prune Your Trees

Before you begin pruning, it’s important to inspect the tree carefully. Look for any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. These are the branches that should be removed first.

When pruning:

Use a pair of pruning shears, loppers, or a saw, depending on the size of the branch you’re cutting.
Make clean, sharp cuts.
Cut just above a bud or lateral branch to encourage new growth.
Avoid leaving stubs, as these can lead to disease and decay.

Key Considerations When Pruning

It’s also important to prune trees at the right time of year.

In general, it’s best to prune trees while they are dormant, in the late winter or early spring. This allows the tree to focus its energy on healing and new growth once it wakes up from its winter dormancy.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you need to remove a branch that is diseased or infested with insects, it’s better to do it as soon as possible to prevent the spread of the problem.

When pruning, it’s also important to consider the overall shape and structure of the tree. Don’t be too aggressive with your pruning, as this can damage the tree and interfere with its natural growth patterns. Instead, try to prune in a way that enhances the tree’s natural shape and form.

Need Tree Pruning in Sioux Falls?

Overall, pruning your trees can be a rewarding experience that helps to keep your landscape healthy and beautiful. By following these simple guidelines, you can help to ensure that your trees are properly pruned and well-maintained.

If you have more important things to do with your time than giving your trees the TLC they need, sit back and contact the professionals.

Our experienced tree and horticulture teams in Sioux Falls, SD are happy to perform your tree pruning – or even removal, if needed. We have licensed arborists and are ready to help.

Note – tree health and removal services are only available at our Sioux Falls, SD, location.

Five Steps to Prep Your Yard for Winter

Lawn care employees removing leaves from front porch

Five Steps to Prep Your Yard for Winter

The Midwest winter cold can be a huge shock to your yard, garden, and landscaping. It’s important to prep your yard before the cold sets in so that your turf, plants, and flowers are ready to bloom again in the spring.

Here are five things you can do as part of your landscaping fall clean-up routine.

1. Clean Your Pots and Containers

This is a good time to gather all of your seasonal flower pots and clean them so they are ready for next spring.

Remove all plant material from the pot. If the soil has become root-bound, remove this as well. Removing the plant debris reduces the possibility of diseases being carried over to next season’s plants.

Clean your pots and bring them inside for the winter to reduce the risk of damage.

2. Cut Back Your Flower and Garden Beds

Cutting back your annuals, perennials, and shrubs will keep your beds looking tidy throughout the winter, while also setting them up for a successful bloom next year.

Annuals and Vegetables

As part of your fall cleanup, remove all of your annuals from pots and garden beds and till the soil, if applicable. If you have organic material like leaves and grass clippings, add these to the soil to help build nutrients.

Note that it’s important to completely remove your vegetable debris (vine crops, tomato vines, etc.) from the garden as they can harbor disease and insects.

Perennials and Shrubs

Each type of perennial is different, but most should be cut back ahead of the winter frost.

Ornamental grass: Leave this 3”-4” tall if you choose to cut it back. Some people like to leave them for winter interest during the winter season; they provide a nice look with fresh snowfall.
Herbaceous perennials: Cut back about 1” above the ground.
Hydrangeas: Pruning techniques depend on the type of hydrangea. Some types can be cut back to the ground, leaving about 4-6.” Other types need light to moderate pruning, to keep them in shape. There is no harm in choosing to leave these for spring pruning, as they provide winter interest.
Dogwoods: This is a very hardy shrub and can be pruned back 50%, removing any dead material.
Spireas: Cut them back to about the size of a beach ball.
Roses: Don’t do anything until spring. If needed, minimal pruning/shaping can be done in the fall if the rose(s) have become too large or are unsightly. Then, use a hand pruner to remove any dead canes so the roses have a neat, healthy appearance.

3. Seed and Aeration Your Lawn

If you want your lawn to be fuller and healthier in the spring, you should seed and aerate it in the fall.

Overseeding

You can purchase or rent an overseeder machine from a local hardware store. This machine has rotating blades that leave a groove in the ground, into which it deposits the grass seed. Confirm that the grass seed you purchase is right for the light conditions of the area (sunny vs. shady). You can then use this machine to plant the new seed in any thin spots of your lawn.

The benefits of overseeding include:

Fills in bare or thin areas damaged by diseases, heat, water deficit, insects, pets, and foot and equipment traffic. It also increases the density of existing turf.
Reduce Risk of Pests & Disease: Overseeding will introduce new cultivars of grass seed that are more tolerant to pests and diseases.
Reduces weeds: Creating a lush, dense turf, is the best defense against weeds.
Improves Appearance: Seed germination occurs in 7-10 days.
Reduce Erosion: Grasses have fibrous, dense root systems that do an exceptional job of holding soil in place.
Increases Thickness/Density: Turf becomes more durable, withstanding foot traffic and play, as well as holding up to natural weathering and environmental stress.
Reduces Chemicals: Maintaining a healthy, robust turf can reduce the chemical applications needed.

Before beginning the work, check the yard for any objects that can be thrown by the blades/machine. Rocks are a common hazard.

As an alternative to renting an overseeder, you can hire a professional like Weller Brothers Landscaping to take care of this. We have all of the equipment needed and use professional, high-quality seed mixes/blends.

After planting the grass seed, do nothing. You don’t want the seed to germinate until the spring because cold winter conditions could injure or possibly kill the young tender shoots The winter snow will help with insulation and soil moisture once spring does arrive, reducing the need to water the area as frequently.

You can put down an erosion control blanket to help protect the area until the seed germinates in the spring. This will naturally biodegrade into the ground over time.

Lastly, when mowing your new turf for the first couple of mowings, be sure to bag or rake the clippings. Removing the clippings prevents the clipping from collecting on the turf canopy and killing or injuring the young turf.

Aeration and Fertilizer

Have you ever noticed clumps of dirt on a beautifully green lawn? That’s the process of aeration.

There are many benefits to aerating your lawn before the winter:

Improved air exchange between soil and atmosphere
Enhanced soil water uptake
Improved fertilizer uptake and use
Reduced water runoff and puddling
Stronger and healthier turfgrass roots
Reduced soil compaction
Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance
Improved resiliency and cushioning
Enhanced thatch breakdown

To aerate your lawn, you can rent a machine or hire a professional.

In addition to aerations, a fall fertilizer application is very beneficial. If you chose to do both, apply the fertilizer first and then aerate your lawn. When applying a fall fertilizer, be sure to select a product that is low in nitrogen. Typical fertilizer bags will specifically say “fall” or “step four” on them.

4. Remove the Leaves

This is one of the most important things to do in order to keep your lawn healthy come spring. Removing the leaves prevents disease and insects from damaging your turf in early spring.

After the kids have enjoyed jumping in the leaf piles all autumn, you need to remove the fall leaves from your yard to avoid having dead spots in the grass next spring.

It’s way easier to do this in the fall than to deal with gross, matted leaves in the spring — trust us!

You can also mulch your leaves. This will require several passes with the mower in order to mulch all the leaves into tiny pieces.

5. Winterize Your Irrigation System

The last thing you should do as part of your lawn’s fall clean-up routine is to have your irrigation system winterized.

For this, hire a professional to blow out the irrigation system with an air compressor. This process removes any of the remaining water in your irrigation system so that it doesn’t freeze in the winter. If you skip this important step, it is possible that any remaining water in the irrigation system may cause damage to the irrigation system components, potentially causing a pipe to burst and creating water damage in your house.

Yikes.

Bonus tip: Don’t forget to remove the garden hose from your water spigot before the winter freeze!

Sound Like A Lot? Call the Professionals

At Weller Brothers, our team of landscape professionals does this kind of work day-in and day-out, all year long in the Midwest.

We know how to prepare your yard for each season ahead so that you can have the healthiest, most beautiful lawn on the block.

Want us to take care of prepping your yard for winter? Contact us today.

Des Moines Rochester Sioux Falls

Three Types of Patios to Consider For Your Home

outdoor dining area with porcelain tiles

Three Types of Patios to Consider For Your Home

A patio is a common addition to any Midwest backyard, providing a sturdy and attractive surface for outdoor entertaining and relaxation.

There are several types of patios to choose from, each with its own unique look and benefits. During your initial consultation with one of our landscape designers, you’ll likely discuss the intended use and desired look to determine which patio type is best for you:

paver
tile
concrete
natural stone

Let’s explore these patio options to help you decide which one is right for your outdoor space.

Paver and Tile Patios

Homeowners in Sioux Falls, Rochester, and Des Moines often opt for paver patios because there are a variety of styles and sizes to choose from, allowing you to create nearly any look you’d like.

Pavers also offer longer patio longevity; if one cracks, you can simply have that one paver replaced.

Types of Pavers

Our landscape design team sources patio pavers from the following brands – Techo-Bloc, Belgard, or Unilock.

All three brands offer high-quality pavers but specialize in different styles. The selection comes down to the color, finish, and overall look you want for your space.

Sometimes, we even install pavers from more than one brand in the same design to add contrasting textures or colors.

Typical Cost of Pavers

The costs of your paver patio can vary greatly depending on the brand or style. Generally speaking, they can range from $25-$35/square foot.

Scroll through the images below to see examples of paver patios installed by Weller Brothers Landscaping.

Patio seating by Weller Brothers Landscaping

grand patio entrance by Weller Brothers Landscaping

Tiles

Tile patios are similar to pavers in that they offer a smooth, polished look and can be replaced individually if needed.

We can source tiles from a variety of places, but oftentimes, customers source these themselves and we provide the installation. We’ve even had some customers order porcelain tiles all the way from Italy!

That said, tiles can be a much higher financial investment, and they certainly add a wow factor to high-end landscape design.

Scroll through the images below to see examples of tile patios installed by Weller Brothers Landscaping.

tile patio with green turf and patio furniture

white tile patio with neutral furniture and fire pit

Concrete Patios

A concrete patio is the most cost-effective of your patio options, and can still look fantastic in your outdoor living space.

Some homeowners prefer a smooth concrete slab surrounding their pool area or for their seating area, while others add a texture element with stamped concrete.

Take note – while a concrete patio may save you some money upfront, it could be a hassle down the road if you’re a perfectionist. One con of concrete patios is that if it cracks or settles in an area, you either have to live with it or replace the whole thing.

It’s totally up to you and your preferences!

Typical Cost of Concrete Patios

Like all patio types, the cost varies but a ballpark range is $10/square foot for plain, brushed concrete and $20-$25/square foot for stamped concrete.

The images below are examples of concrete patios installed by Weller Brothers Landscaping.

Natural Stone Patios

Natural stone – or flagstone – patios are the third patio option for your Midwest home. This type of patio offers an organic, rugged look to your space.

Again, it’s simply a matter of what your desired look is and how you plan to use the space.

For example, if you expect your patio or walkway to be a high-traffic area, natural stone may not be the best option due to the rough surface (which also makes it difficult to shovel).

That said, it can add lovely texture to an ancillary area in your space while complementing a larger, smooth paver area.

Typical Cost of Natural Stone

Natural Stone patios typically run at a similar cost to high-end pavers, or more.

For example, they can be anywhere from $25-$45 per square foot.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Now that you understand the different types of patios, you might feel overwhelmed. Let’s make the decision easier with a few simple questions:

How will you use the space? – If it’s a high-traffic area, flagstone, or natural stone, isn’t the best choice. Will there be kids running around the pool? If so, stamped concrete can be slippery.
Are you okay with having cracks that may develop over time? If “yes,” and you’re budget-conscious, then concrete may be a good option. If you don’t want to live with cracks and settling in a few years, choose a paver patio so you can easily replace individual pavers as needed.
What look do you want? Do you want clean, crisp lines? Go with pavers or tiles. Do you like the organic, natural look? Then, consider natural stone.
What’s your budget? The cost of a patio varies, but, generally speaking, here is how patio types rank from the least investment to the highest investment:
- Concrete
- Stamped concrete
- Basic pavers
- High-end pavers
- Natural stone/flagstone

We have a handy budget guide to help guide your landscape design decision-making. Check it out here.

Proper Installation Is Key

No matter which type of paver patio you choose, it is important to have it properly installed by a professional, like the team at Weller Brothers. A well-installed paver patio will last for many years, providing a beautiful and functional outdoor space for you and your family to enjoy.

Our team maintains certification from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, which means that we install patio pavers according to the highest industry standards.

Visit our design gallery to see more examples of patios we have installed in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.

To request a custom estimate for your backyard patio project, contact us here. Our talented team of landscape designers looks forward to bringing your project to life.

How to Properly Prune Your Trees

Why You Should Have Your Trees Pruned

Doing It Yourself? Consider The Risks.

How to Prune Your Trees

Key Considerations When Pruning

Need Tree Pruning in Sioux Falls?

Five Steps to Prep Your Yard for Winter

1. Clean Your Pots and Containers

2. Cut Back Your Flower and Garden Beds

Annuals and Vegetables

Perennials and Shrubs

3. Seed and Aeration Your Lawn

Overseeding

Aeration and Fertilizer

4. Remove the Leaves

5. Winterize Your Irrigation System

Sound Like A Lot? Call the Professionals

Three Types of Patios to Consider For Your Home

Paver and Tile Patios

Types of Pavers

Typical Cost of Pavers

Tiles

Concrete Patios

Typical Cost of Concrete Patios

Natural Stone Patios

Typical Cost of Natural Stone

Questions to Ask Yourself

Proper Installation Is Key

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