BigTreeSupply.com: Can Your Birch Trees Be Saved?

By Nancy Penrose


If you haven’t heard, a beetle named the bronze birch borer has been becoming pretty troublesome in parts of western and eastern Washington.
They can be found wherever birch is grown and mostly attacks the Jacquemontii Birch. Due to birch tree plantings increasing, the insect is quickly expanding. If you know your birch tree has been affected, you know you need to do something, but what exactly should you do? Can your birch tree be saved or is cutting it down the only answer? Let’s find out below.

Can my birch tree be saved?


The short answer is yes. In many cases, birch trees can be saved from the bronze birch borer. Treatment such as soil drenches, bark spray, and trunk injection are all ways you can save your birch trees from the tree disease if the treatment is applied correctly.


Should I cut my birch tree down?


We always recommend doing what you can to save a tree before you cut it down. If your birch tree has been affected, you’ll need to consider the tree’s health, what value it brings to your home, and the price of the treatment. If you find that your tree’s value is less than the cost of treatment, then cutting it down may be a good solution.

Unsure of whether your tree has been affected or not? We can help! We offer tree inspections and spray treatments for birch trees if the tree is less than 30% gone. Just contact our tree specialist at (866) 313-2333 to get started.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (https://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurseries, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at https://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on tree care or installation go to http://arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vVhNW1XJI and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108.

Big Trees Inc. Replaces a Significant Hedge Between Two Properties

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (https://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company in the Seattle area, recently replaced a significant hedge between two properties that had been lost during an accident.

Big Trees was approached by a customer who had a major accident occur with their neighbor, resulting in a lost hedge between the properties. The client’s neighbor had recently run a power cord along a row of tall Arborvitae trees to get some lighting into the daughter’s playhouse. Unfortunately, the Arborvitaes caught fire and the fire spread quickly throughout the entire 65-foot long hedge. The fire was exceptionally close to both residences, but fortunately, neither home caught on fire.

The trees needed to be replaced as soon as possible and Big Trees had the inventory of trees and the crew capable of performing the work. It was decided that 31 of Big Trees’ 11’-12’ Emerald Green Arborvitaes would be the trees to work with. All of the debris from the fire was cleared, and the stumps and root material was removed from the relatively slender planting bed between the properties. The new trees were installed.

Todd Holmes, Big Trees’ Operations Manager, said: “The new trees were installed on the boundary bed, and the owners were thrilled. After the accident and thinking they would have to restart with small trees, they were thrilled to realize that their hedge could be put back in place and that the two neighbors could go back to their lives, hopefully with some better extension cords on their future projects.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., 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 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 https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Brite Smiles Publishes a New YouTube Video

Brite Smiles Dental Care (http://www.britesmilesdentalcare.com), in Apple Valley, has just published a new YouTube video introducing the public to Brite Smiles.

Brite Smiles encourages everyone to find a dentist who is knowledgeable, trustworthy and friendly. This is one reason they created a video to introduce the public to Brite Smiles, the services they offer and the doctors who work there. The video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ecUbM7QAfo.

Shan I., a patient at Brite Smiles, said, “Brite Smiles is an awesome place for all of your dental needs: big or small. They all ease your fear and anxiety from the minute you make an appointment, through any procedure. All staff are kind, patient and professional. They use a team approach and discuss each patient’s needs and requirements to reach a well-rounded goal that works for you!”

Another patient, Kristi T., mentioned: “I’ve been going exclusively to Brite Smiles for the past couple of years. The dentists and hygienists are wonderful. They are thorough yet gentle. I drive from Saint Paul to Burnsville to go here and they are the only people I trust with my teeth!”

Brite Smiles founder Dr. Dennis Simmons graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1976, receiving the Class Honor in prosthetics – dentures partial and full. Since then, he has participated in over 3,000 hours of continuing education courses, focusing primarily on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, dental implants and implant-supported restorations, orthodontics, extractions, crown/bridge, root canals, bite and TMJ disorders and sleep apnea. For his studies, he has been honored with the status of “Diplomate” from the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the International Osseous (bone) Integration Society. For more information on dental services from Brite Smiles Dental Care, visit http://britesmilesdentalcare.com, or call 952-891-8484.

Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps Urges Public to Get Their Chimney Inspected and Cleaned Now

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps https://www.mplsblueskychimneysweeps.com in Eden Prairie, is explaining to the public why now is the best time for homeowners to get their chimney cleaned and inspected.

Your chimney has served its purpose during the winter in keeping you warm, and now that summer is here, it is important to get your chimney cleaned and inspected so the air in your home is clean and fresh. With that said, there are three important reasons why homeowners should get their chimney cleaned and inspected in the spring:

• Homeowners tend to schedule chimney maintenance in the fall, so you are more likely to get a convenient appointment date and time.
• Creosote can accumulate in your chimney during the winter months, which can cause damage to the inside of the chimney and produce a foul odor. Getting rid of creosote build-up in the spring will help your chimney stay in good condition as well as keep the air in your home fresh.
• Getting your chimney inspected early on will help find potential issues so you have time to get them repaired, along with setting aside a budget before winter comes back around.

Dave Lambert, owner of Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps, says: “Blue Sky will do a comprehensive safety and maintenance inspection of your fireplace and chimney. We’ll provide you with a full inspection report and go over what we find with you and answer all your questions and give you all your options. We have very economical prices and we fully warranty all our work!”

Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps is family owned and operated, and has over 20 years of experience in the chimney repair and cleaning field, and all of their masons and sweeps are licensed and insured. They are members of the National Chimney Sweeps Guild and are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Blue Sky offers chimney cleaning in the Minneapolis metro area. For more information on chimney services from Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps, visit https://www.mplsblueskychimneysweeps.com, or call 952-944-1744.

Big Trees Inc. Helped a Homeowner with a Large Scale Screening Situation

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company in the Seattle area, recently helped a client with a large scale screening situation that needed to be resolved before the client could sell their home.

Last month, a couple came to the Big Trees nursery with a difficult situation. A five-story tall apartment building had been built up in their backyard view, and even though it is across the street from their backyard fence, it took away from the privacy of their home.

The couple was attempting to sell their home at the time and knew they had to bring privacy back to their home before they could easily sell it. Big Trees decided to plant large 20-foot Excelsa Cedars and large flowering Cherry trees along the back border of the property to help with the clients’ situation. The problem with installing these trees into this property was that there was no access for tractors to bring these 3,000-pound trees into the backyard. Big Trees called in their associates in the crane industry, and used a 140-ton class crane to safely place the trees into the backyard.

“These kind of large tree installations are extremely satisfying,” said Todd Holmes, Big Trees’ Operation Manager. “From the logistics all coming together, to the set-up of each impressive tree, and all to the moment where we get to step back and see the difference that has been accomplished; it’s a very unique thrill to get to be a part of!”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., 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 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/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Increase Property Value by Adding (or Cutting Down) Trees

By Nancy Penrose

You may be ready to sell your house now, or you’re planning on staying in your home for several years. Either way, you’ll want to add as much value to your house as possible, and the outside is just as important as the inside.

The best way to add value to the outside of your property is to add healthy trees or cut down diseased, dangerous trees. Did you know, according to PNW Research Station, a tree in front of a house can increase the home’s sale price by an average of $7,130? That’s huge!

So, which trees should you add to your home?

There isn’t really any specific tree that adds more value over another type of tree. The most important thing is to plant healthy, disease-resistant trees. If you’re in an area where a specific tree is popular, such as palm trees in Florida or California, then adding those trees can help as well.
Some popular trees that could enhance your home value include:

• Katsura
• Dogwood
• Red maple

Which trees should you cut down?

Trees should always be healthy, well maintained and planted in the correct location. Cutting down a tree that looks infected, is covering up too much of the front of your home, is closer than 15-feet from your home, or is completely dead can help increase the value of your home.

We offer tree inspections and have a nursery of over 120,000 trees for you to choose from. Just contact us at (866) 313-2333 to get started.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurseries, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on tree care or installation go to privacytree.net. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vVhNW1XJI and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108.

Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps Warns Homeowners of Possible Winter Chimney Damage

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps ( http://www.mplsblueskychimneysweeps.com/), in Eden Prairie, is warning homeowners in the Minneapolis area that large amounts of snowfall this past winter could have caused damage to their chimney. The company urges homeowners to get a chimney inspection.

Dave Lambert, owner of Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps, stated “Heavy amounts of snowfall can sometimes lead to big problems with your chimney, and, if left unhandled, these problems can get worse. If you have noticed cracked or loose bricks on the outside of your chimney, this can be a sign of winter-related damage that can lead to water leaks in your chimney. After each snow storm, Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps receives many calls from customers for chimney repairs, and we have the experience to know exactly how to fix these problems.”

Lambert described specific damage that can occur to a chimney during the winter months:

“Flashing Damage: The place where your chimney meets the roof is called the flashing, made out of metal, and is one of the most vulnerable areas for water leaks, as water tends to pool there. Heavy snow can damage the flashing, causing it to bend. When this happens, water from melted snow can flow into the chimney, and this water can cause damage to the wooden structure around the chimney, and to your ceiling and walls. If you have seen water stains on your ceiling or walls, you could have a damaged flashing system.

“Spalling Damage: Bricks and mortar are porous and easily absorb water. When the temperature drops below freezing, water that has been absorbed into the masonry materials freezes and expands. Then as the temperature warms back up, this water thaws out and causes the bricks and mortar to crack and break apart. This is known as spalling damage, and it can also affect your chimney crown. This type of damage can lead to serious structural damage if left unrepaired.

“Get a Spring Inspection: In the case of water damage to your masonry chimney, the best offense is a good defense. By having your chimney regularly inspected and maintained, any masonry damage can be detected and handled quickly. And an annual inspection will alert you to any problems with your chimney, allowing repairs to be made quickly to prevent further decay.”

Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps is family owned and operated, and has over 20 years of experience in the chimney repair and cleaning field, and all of their masons and sweeps are licensed and insured. They are members of the National Chimney Sweeps Guild and are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Blue Sky offers chimney cleaning in Minneapolis and the metro area. For more information on chimney services from Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps, visit http://www.mplsblueskychimneysweeps.com, or call 952-944-1744.