Choosing the Right Place to Plant a Tree

By Nancy Penrose

Planting a tree is a great way to conserve energy, protect your property and clear the air. Additionally, trees preserve soil, provide food and add value to your home. Choosing the right location for your tree is vital and will help keep the tree in good health. So, how do you choose a good place? We outline our tips below.

Figure out the purpose of your tree

What will the function of your tree be? Do you want more shade to keep your home cool in the summer? A large leafy tree can do the trick. Or maybe you want to add some more privacy to your home, in which case evergreens are a great choice. First decide on the purpose of your tree and then you’ll be able to determine a location.

Finding the perfect location

Once you’ve figured out the purpose of your tree, you’ll need to find the perfect location so it can function as desired. They’ll need to be planted in a spot where they won’t be interfered with or damaged by surrounding structures. Your tree size will be a large determining factor on where the tree can go. Make sure the height doesn’t obstruct any views or risk contact with power lines, and that the root system doesn’t interfere with anything underground, like water pipes, the home’s foundation, or the sidewalk.

When a tree is planted correctly in a good location and cared for properly, it can become a lifelong addition to your home. On the other hand, if the tree is not planted correctly and isn’t well cared for, costly problems can occur.

At Big Trees, we can help you pick out a tree that will best suit your needs and give our expert opinion on where it should be planted. Just contact us today 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 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.

Big Trees Inc. Helps Relocate a Large Japanese Maple

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (https://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company, was asked to help relocate a large Japanese Maple tree for a group of residents involved in a local school remodel.

The tree had a long standing heritage at the entrance to the school. When the school started its remodeling project, the locals decided to privately raise the funds to have this large tree moved to the entrance of the new school.

Big Trees was first contacted about this project in early December 2018. Once it was decided that this tree was a viable candidate for proper root balling and transplanting to the new proposed planting location, Big Trees generated some estimates for what the process might involve financially. A local group of volunteers began raising the funds to accommodate this transplant.

The Japanese Maple was originally planted in 1967, and has been seen as a heritage tree to most all who have attended the school over the years. It is now 20-feet tall by 20-feet wide with numerous trunks in a thick diameter. The tree weighed-in at around 25,000 pounds once it was properly dug and bound with burlap and rope. The tree was rigged and lifted onto a truck for transport to the new installation location. Once the crane was set up in the next location, the tree was lifted off of the transport vehicle and planted in its new planting environment.

The tree is going to receive ongoing supervision and care from the volunteers’ group who worked hard to raise the funds.

“This Japanese Maple will hopefully continue to welcome many more generations of students at the school’s new entrance, as it has done for the last 50 years in its former location.” said Todd Holmes, Big Trees’ Operation Manager.

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.

BigTreeSupply.com: Spring Checklist for Taking Care of Your Trees

By Nancy Penrose

Winter is almost over and spring is in sight! This means it’s time to start thinking about tree care for your trees and ensure they’re in tip-top shape for spring and summer. Below, you’ll find a mini-checklist of steps you can take to see if your tree is healthy and what to do if certain signs appear.

1. Inspect your trees and shrubs
Rainfall and melting snow can add more water than normal and you may encounter standing water. Pay attention to your trees; if anything looks unusual, make sure to contact a professional tree arborist to determine the care that might be needed.

2. Prune any dead branches
Proper pruning is a must in order to protect your big trees from any branches that got damaged from the winter weather. Not to mention, pruning will help protect your home, cars, family and passersby from damaged branches that could fall.

3. Think about if you want to plant new trees
Now is the time to start thinking about planting new trees. If you’ve decided to plant a new tree, spring is a great time to do so! We highly recommend hiring a tree installation professional to help you on planting your new trees because there are several factors that come into play, such as where to safely plant it, planting it at the proper depth, etc.

Spring is such a joyful time for many of us! Let’s make sure your trees are healthy and safe. We are professionally trained to inspect trees, give them their proper treatment and plant new trees. Just contact us at (866) 313-2333 and we can go over your specific needs.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (https://bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree installation at https://bigtreesupply.com/planting-service/professional-planting-service/ and for more tips on tree care or tree installation go to http://arboristblog.com/blog/. See our video at https://vimeo.com/291609737 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees- Inc/193731105108.

Silva Construction Expands Their Commercial Construction Division

SAN PEDRO, CA: Silva Construction (https://silvaconstruction.com), a residential and commercial remodeling company serving the south bay area of Los Angeles, is expanding their commercial construction division, offering remodeling and tenant improvements for restaurants, dental offices, real estate offices, art galleries, schools, churches, and retail stores.

Silva Construction started commercial building remodeling of restaurants in the Redondo Beach Marina, including the Blue Moon Saloon, the Landing, and Moose McGillicuttys. The company has also been remodeling commercial dental offices, and realtor offices in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance.

Dave Silva, owner of Silva Construction, stated “As a commercial remodeling contractor we have done Tenant Improvements of all kinds: fire doors, grid ceilings, work stations, partition walls, built in desks, counters, ADA (Handicap) compliance baths & ramps. We have remodeled several schools and churches in the south bay, along with their kitchens. We have also remodeled a clothing store in the Manhattan Beach Mall. We can handle projects of nearly any size and we work hard to give the highest level of service to our commercial clients.”

Dave Silva and David Clarke are owners of Silva Construction, Inc., located in San Pedro, CA. The company has over 40 years of experience in remodeling construction, and serves Southern California’s South Bay area, including Westchester, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, San Pedro, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Harbor City, Lomita, Torrance, and other select areas. Their blog can be seen at https://www.silvaconstruction.com/blog3/ and their website can be seen at https://www.silvaconstruction.com/. They can be reached at 310-831-6310.

Brite Smiles Holds Contest for Best Floss Dance Video

APPLE VALLEY, MN – Brite Smiles Dental Care (https://www.britesmilesdentalcare.com), in Apple Valley is holding a contest for the best video performance of floss dancing. The winner will receive a Sonicare toothbrush or at home teeth whitening.

To enter the contest, participants need to post their video on YouTube and then email a link to their video to receptionbritesmiles@gmail.com, Entries need to be received by 4/30/19. Participants must live in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Dr. Dennis Simmons, founder of Brite Smiles Dental Care, stated “We’re doing this contest for fun and also to call attention to the importance of not floss dancing, but flossing your teeth every day to keep your teeth and gums health for life. While you’re posting you can also tell us why you love coming to Brite Smiles Dental Care. Remember you have a new insurance max and possibly HSA. Come on in and handle those nagging dental problems for good.”

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 https://www.britesmilesdentalcare.com, or call 952-891-8484.

FineCraftContractors.com: Beware of the Lowest Bidder When Selecting a Contractor

By Niko Papaheraklis

The temptation of accepting a low bid from a contract is very high, but is it too good to be true? What’s the catch? Below, we list out several reasons why you should beware of the lowest bidder when selecting a contractor.

It’s not an honest bid

Professional contractors who are honest and have integrity will give you a thorough estimate depending on your needs and wants the first time. They’ll include details on all the materials and what work is needed. It’s a bad indicator if you receive a bid without any details or explanation; the skill and professionalism of that contractor is questionable.

2. If it seems too good to be true, then it is

If you receive a bid and you think, “Wow! How is their bid so low?” Or “This seems too good to be true…” then the answer is yes, it is too good to be true. If you’re still interested in their work, call several references of theirs and ask what job ended up costing versus what the proposal was.

3. They’re hiding something

In many cases, a low bidding contractor isn’t licensed, and they’re hoping that their low price will make up for their shortcomings. You should avoid this at all costs because an unlicensed contractor has to cheat his way and he’ll most likely cheat you too.

4. You’ll receive low quality

This one may be obvious, but a bid that is way lower than the others will inevitably result in a low quality job. In the end, the amount of money you saved won’t be worth it and you’ll probably have to spend more to fix or save your project.

At Finecraft Contractors, if you can imagine it, we can build it. If you have a home renovation idea or want to remodel sections of your home, call us at 301-330-9191 and we’ll give you a thoroughly thought out estimate.


Niko Papaheraklis is the Business Manager of FineCraft Building Contractors, Inc., located in Gaithersburg, MD, 40 miles north of Washington, DC. Since 1985, FineCraft remodeling contractors have been building houses, home additions, kitchen & bath remodeling and more for discerning families. Their blog can be seen at https://finecraftcontractors.com/blog/ and they can be reached at 301-330-9191.

FineCraft Contractors to Host a Live Webinar on Recession-Proofing Your Business

GAITHERSBURG, MD: FineCraft Contractors, Inc., (https://finecraftcontractors.com/) is hosting a live webinar called “5 Tips to Recession-Proof Your Business” on March 13th, March 26th and April 11th, 2019 at 11:00AM Pacific Time.

Attendees will get to hear from the founder of FineCraft Contractors, George Papaheraklis, who has over 40 years of experience in the business, and the Business Manager and Marketing Director, Niko Papaheraklis, who has over a decade of experience with promotions and marketing.

The webinar will explain how FineCraft survived the 2008 recession, share tips to safeguard your business, and teach their five tips to recession-proof your business, including topics on:

• How to build a loyal team
• Focusing on communication
• Working with homeowners
• Finding practical solutions to grow your business
• Preparing for the future

George Papaheraklis, founder of FineCraft Contractors, stated: “Most everyone knows about the big market downturn in 2008. Unfortunately, I was completely unprepared. I didn’t see it coming and we almost went under. There’s a lot for other contractors to learn from my mistakes. There are procedures to put in place to safeguard your business from downturns. I lay it all out in this live webinar, so choose one of the dates and I’ll see you there!”

You can reserve your spot for one of the three dates by clicking here: https://pro.homeadvisor.com/r/webinar-sign-up/?entryPointId=33759572&aff=sp_pro_center
George Papaheraklis is the founder of FineCraft Contractors, Inc., located in Gaithersburg, MD, 40 miles north of Washington, DC. Since 1985, FineCraft has been building houses, additions, kitchens, baths and more for discerning families. Their blog can be seen at https://finecraftcontractors.com/blog/ and they can be reached at 301-330-9191.