BigTreeSupply.com: The Stately Cypress Tree

by Nancy Penrose

Cypress, including both trees and shrubs, are members of the Cupressaceae family. These arborvitae trees are native to North America and can be found in other parts of the world as well.

Cypress trees can grow up to 80 feet tall. The trunk of the tree is straight with a tapered base.

The tree’s foliage ranges in color from light green to dark green. Its short needles typically turn brown during the winter. There are also a few varieties whose needles will turn yellow or gold during the fall. Some trees have appendages that look like hair braids stuck to twigs.

Cypress trees can have a spread of up to 30 feet, and it often has a feather-like appearance. Tree shape can vary, from the umbrella-looking Monterrey cypress to the triangular-shaped Arizona cypress.

Cypress will produce small cones up to two inches wide that contain approximately 30 seeds. They generally do well in places with there is an abundance of water.

U.S. Cypress trees include the Leyland cypress, Arizona cypress, bald cypress and Italian cypress.

The Leyland cypress grows extremely fast and tall. The tree’s branches are flat with soft pine needles.

Leyland cypress can grow in many different types of soil. It is a popular landscaping tree and fast growing privacy tree used for privacy fences, hedges and screens. The tree likes as much sun as possible. It can survive near the ocean and in areas where there is a significant amount of pollution.

The Arizona Cypress, which can be found throughout the southwestern region, does best in hot and dry environments. It can grow up to 80 feet tall, with gray-green to blue-green foliage. The tree has scaly leaves and seed cones that open after the tree has been killed by fire.

Bald Cypress is a deciduous tree that can be found in coastal areas where the soil is extremely moist. They can live for many centuries and grow extremely tall. The tree’s bark ranges in color from grayish brown to reddish brown.

The majestic Italian cypress is also tall and can be found in warmer climates. Italian cypress can live for hundreds of years. The tree has dark green foliage with scaly seed cones.

There are also non-native cypress trees that grow well in the U.S., such as the Slender Hinoki cypress. The Slender Hinoki cypress can be found in many Pacific Northwest nurseries. It is an ornamental tree with open, arching branches and a pyramid shape. In the spring, new needle growth has a reddish color.

The cypress tree’s wood is both lightweight and durable. It has been used to build chests, boxes, cabinets, bed frames and boats, as well as roof shingles and siding.

Cypress wood also makes excellent firewood.

Cypress trees are a great choice for landscapes. If you are planning on buying a cypress, speak with a big trees (Snohomish) expert or nursery with large trees for sale to find out which varieties will grow best in your environment, and how to maintain your tree’s health and vitality throughout the years.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), tree nursery Snohomish, WA, one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys (see inventory at http://bigtreesupply.com/sales-inventory/), specializing in tree transplanting. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpactBDUPmQ

Julian Construction Offers Soft-Story Retrofitting in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Makes Soft Story Retrofitting Mandatory for Wood-Frame Structures

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://www.julianconstruction.com/), a foundation construction and foundation repair company in the Los Angeles area, is now offering soft-story building retrofitting, which is now mandatory for wood-frame soft story buildings within the city of Los Angeles.

A soft-story building is a multi-story structure where the ground floor has unsupported floors above it, due to a wide front window or other wide section of the second floor with no supporting beam under it. The most common type of soft-story building is an apartment building built with the second story over an open parking area. Other types include retail businesses with large windows, as well as multi-level commercial structures with floors that have large spaces, windows and doors. Soft-story buildings are much more likely to collapse during an earthquake, and so are especially dangerous in areas of high seismic activity like Los Angeles.

The City of Los Angeles recently passed an Ordinance requiring the retrofit of all wood-frame Soft-Story buildings

If you own a soft-story building- especially an older wood-frame building, contact a local construction company to schedule an inspection consultation. The structural stability of your building and the safety of its occupants and users is extremely important, especially in areas of high seismic activity like Los Angeles.

Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “No two soft-story retrofitting projects are the same and so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Ideally, we consider several factors to determine the best way to approach the project to get the building to meet the structural standards of retrofitted soft-story buildings, while also having a minimal impact on the function and use of the building. We see these kinds of soft story buildings every day. Fortunately much more is known about the risks involved with this type of design now, so buildings today are built much more securely. But with older buildings, it is important to know the risks involved with soft story structural issues.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

JulianConstruction.com: Bolting Mudsills to a Cement Foundation

By Julian De La Torre

Do you know if your house is bolted to the foundation? Bolting is a type of seismic retrofitting that secures a home’s mudsill to its concrete foundation. Mudsill is the horizontal wood that sits on top of the foundation. It is the bottom of an exterior wall that connects the frame of the house to the footing.

Mudsills that aren’t connected to the foundation (or poorly connected) will start to move during a quake, along with the walls they are attached to. This motion can cause gas lines to break and electrical wires to pull out. Floors can also be damaged. If the shaking is severe, the entire building may end up collapsing.

When the mudsill is properly bolted to the concrete, it prevents the home from slipping and sliding during seismic activity.

Bolting a home to its foundation became a Uniform Building Code requirement in 1949. However, it took almost 10 years for local government to implement the code. Consequently, most homes built before 1960 have not been bolted to their foundations. Without bolting, an earthquake can shake the home off of its foundation.

You can check to see if your home’s mudsill has been bolted by going into your crawl space or basement and looking for thick bolts across the top of the sill. You should see bolts every 4 to 6 feet. There should also be steel anchor plates connecting the edge of the sill to the foundation’s side.

If you find any rusted bolts, they will need to be replaced. Rusted bolts are more common in moisture-prone areas.

Also look for recessed bolts. When the foundation is poured and bolts aren’t sticking up high enough, the mudsill around the bolt needs to be chiseled to get the nut on. This can make it difficult to tighten the nuts and virtually impossible for any anchor plates to be installed. Recessed bolts should be replaced.

An important point regarding bolting is the depth of penetration into the concrete. There are minimum and standard depth requirements depending on the type of anchor bolts being used.

Replacing bolts can be difficult because of the tight space. A foundation repair expert will know which bolts need to be replaced in addition to having all of the tools that will be needed to get the job done right.

Bolting is only one part of the retrofitting process. Even homes that are bolted can suffer severe damage from a quake if the cripple walls haven’t been braced properly. The cripple wall is the short wall between the first floor and the foundation. Cripple walls need reinforcement with sturdy materials like plywood. Stucco and wood siding does not provide enough support for the walls.

The best way to find out if your home is properly bolted, is to contact a foundation contractor, a specialist in this area, and ask for a free inspection. Getting help from a foundation repair (Los Angeles) expert will save you time, money and potential damage from the next big quake.


Julian De La Torre, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting (Los Angeles) and founder of Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures, working with engineering firms & local departments of building & safety. The company has done more home foundation repair (Los Angeles) than any other company in the area over the last five years (http://julianconstruction.com/about/ ). Julian Construction owns its own company and is a "no middlemen" model--no salesmen or subcontractors--you get the principals of the company & its workers under your home. See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4

Recognizing Signs of Roof Damage

Los Angeles Contractor Shares Warning Signs of Roof Damage and What You Can Do About It.

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, has compiled a checklist that you can use to tell if you have any roof damage issues. If you notice any of the items mentioned, you should contact a roofing contractor to schedule an inspection.
Cold weather brings with it an increase in risk factors for roof damage including; rain, falling leaves, and freezing temperatures. The maintenance and regular inspection of your roof will help protect against roof leaks and their effects, such as dry rot and mold.
Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Missing, loose, or warped roof tiles or shingles which leave the underlying roof materials exposed and prone to damage
• Leaks around chimneys, skylights, or air vents, which can be an indication of damaged or improperly installed flashing.
• Clogged gutters which can cause water damage from overflow
• Roof leaks are especially serious and should be immediately addressed to prevent dry rot and mold.

If you notice any of the above signs of roof damage, call a qualified construction company near you to perform roof inspections and whatever type of roof repair you may need. Don’t worry if the weather has already gotten overcast and rainy, roofs can be repaired or replaced at any time, even in wet weather.

Julian De La Torre of Julian Construction, stated: “Having your roof regularly inspected by a professional contractor is an important part of the home maintenance process. When roof problems are detected early, not only will the repairs usually be less costly, it can help prevent other types of damage to your home. Roof repairs can be done very easily at any time of the year when overseen by a competent construction company.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, http://www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

Big Trees Inc. will be Landscaping New Project in Downtown Bellevue

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc. (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, has been asked to assist with the landscaping efforts at a significant property being developed in downtown Bellevue. The project involves adding some very tall evergreen trees to the North side of a multi-level parking garage to soften its appearance for the neighbors, as well as adding larger trees to the top levels of the same garage.

A significant number of Fir trees will be integrated into two planting beds on the North side of this garage, most as large as 20’-25’ tall. These trees will add organic motion and distraction from what would otherwise be a large, stark wall with no detail. The trees will be delivered by large trucks and trailers, unloaded by crane to a higher level planter, and handled by an all-terrain forklift to finally meet their planting locations.

There are a number of other Pines and Cedars being taken to the top floor of the parking garage and installed in raised planting beds. These trees will also add to the aesthetic and overall liveliness of this upper level garage layout. It is a bit of a challenge to get these trees to their planting areas as well, as they are quite large to be trafficking up the winding access way through a modern parking garage layout, especially considering all of the ongoing construction activities.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, remarks, “It’s a pretty significant project considering the size of trees we are working with, and the limitations of access to get them to their planting locations. Our teamwork with the construction project engineers is pretty key in situations like this, as there are always so many moving parts to contend with. We’re all looking forward to seeing these trees grow up even more over the coming decades.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/

BigTreeSupply.com: The Exquisite Tibetan Cherry Tree

by Nancy Penrose

Ornamental trees are used in landscaping to add color and interest. They are referred to as “ornamental trees” because of their decorative purpose. Many trees are called ornamental in reference to their blooms. There are also trees like the Tibetan Cherry, one of the flowering cherry trees that are admired because of the beauty of their bark.
The sturdy Tibetan Cherry (Prunus serrula), also called the paperbark cherry and birch bark cherry, is a deciduous tree with bark that has a glossy, mahogany appearance. The bark peels in translucent reddish-brown and amber colored sheets, revealing a new mahogany layer. In direct sun, the tree’s skin has a rich polished copper and bronze appearance.

Beneath the peal is a new layer of smooth mahogany bark. The crown of the tree is wide and somewhat round.

The Tibetan cherry is one of the small to medium-sized flowering trees with narrow, willow-type leaves that have an oval-like shape and are approximately 3-4 inches in length. The leaves are a deep medium to dark green. In autumn they turn a rich yellow and then fall away. In winter, the tree’s bark is stunning.

The tree blooms in late April with small white flowers. The blooms, which are often hidden in the foliage, attract bees.

The tree’s cherries are non-edible and about a half inch long. They turn bright white when ripe.
Tibetan cherry trees grow best in full sun and fertile, moist loamy soil. They do well in gardens and parks, as well as urban areas due to their pollution tolerance. When grown in ideal conditions, the tree can reach heights of 25 feet or more.

It is a fast growing privacy tree and the faster the tree grows, the more frequently it will shed its bark. Peeling the bark yourself can reduce the number of shedding periods. You can brighten up the bark with water and a sponge.

Because the tree’s leaves are not very thick, many different types of shade-tolerant foliage can be planted around it.

Tibetan cherry trees require very little pruning aside from the occasional removal of damaged or dead branches. The best time to prune the tree is after it has bloomed.

The tree is a native to the Szechwan province in Western China. It was introduced in Europe by well-known British plant collector Ernest Henry “Chinese” Wilson in 1908. Wilson has been credited with introducing nearly 2,000 Asian plant species to the Western world.

When selecting big trees for your landscape, choosing the right mix is important. Some trees may have a practical purpose such as providing shade or acting as privacy trees, while others will enhance the landscape’s appearance. In either case, the trees must also be suitable for the environment. This means factors such as space, weather and soil conditions will also need to be taken into consideration.

A big trees expert or tree nurserys arborist can help you find the best trees for your landscape - foliage that can easily grow and thrive in your location (tree nursery Snohomish/Seattle area). You will also get important tips and advice on how to maintain your trees, transplanting trees, and how to keep them healthy for years to come.


Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), tree nursery Snohomish, WA, one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys (see inventory at http://bigtreesupply.com/sales-inventory/), specializing in tree transplanting. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpactBDUPmQ