Waukesha County Home

November, 2018

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Trees may require pruning for a variety of reasons. Storms may have damaged branches, or trees may have outgrown their yards, overpowering the landscape. Autumn and winter, when trees largely go dormant and fallen leaves make it easier to see the branches beneath, may be prime times to prune. Pruning now also mini- mizes sap loss and stress to the tree, and can help cut down on the growth of fungi. Insects are less likely to be problematic during the colder months of the year. Trimming and pruning can be handled by do-it-yourselfers if the branches are small- er and more manageable. Practice on thin- ner branches before moving on to thicker ones, which may require extra help. Branches may be heavy, and it takes a guid- ed hand to ensure the branches fall safely. Branches also need to be trimmed prop- erly to facilitate good healing. Trees will form a callus bark covering over cuts to keep out disease and decay, much as a scab forms over a person's wound. Damaging the bark on a tree while pruning may inter- fere with that process, so do-it-yourselfers need to take the time to prune correctly. According to Danny Lipford, home improvement expert and host of the radio program "Today's Homeowner," larger limbs may require three cuts instead of one. The first cut is a small notch in the bot- tom of the limb, around 2 to 3 feet from the trunk and about one-quarter of the way through. This helps prevent the bark from splitting. A relief cut is then made a few inches away from the notch cut, and goes all the way through. This removes the weight of the branch so that the final cut can be made without the branch splitting and falling. The final cut is made right where the limb extrudes from the branch collar, or the swollen bump that then forms into the tree limb. Follow the slant of the branch collar when making the cut. Small- er or thinner branches may not require the same three steps, but every effort should be made to reduce injury to the tree. All pruning can put some level of stress on the tree and increase its vulnerability to disease and insect infestation. A good rule of thumb is to never prune more than 25 percent of the crown. According to experts at TreeHelp.com, living branches should comprise at least two-thirds the height of the tree. In some instances, the rules may need to be bent if trees are interfering with utility lines or to meet community laws. However, always prune minimally to avoid damaging the tree. The right tools also make the job safer and easier. Use a pole pruner and lopper, rope saws, folding pruner, and a bucksaw. A chainsaw can be used in some instances, especially when pruning larger limbs. Always disinfect pruning tools after you're done to prevent the spread of disease to other trees. HOME NOVEMBER 2018 2 Distributed by: ©2018 by Conley Media Waukesha County Home is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Home Volume 7 ■ Number 11 ■ November 2018 2005 Silvernail Rd. Pewaukee 262-349-4809 www.3gvacuum.com 262531005 3G Vacuum is turning 5! To celebrate, every Friday of November we are extending our BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS Don't forget VETERANS DAY November 11th Discounts for all customers that show a military ID to adopt any time of year, but is especially beneficial to homeowners during the holidays, Wieder said. Accepting potluck offer- ings from guests is another great way to save time, as it means less time making meals and doing dishes. "Doing these things each day can help ease stress with spontaneous visitors (over the holidays)," Wieder said. Clean carpets early and protect them Clean carpets also help provide a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Because the holidays are a busy time for many, Doug Pike, owner of J & S Carpet Cleaning in Waukesha, said it's a good idea to have car- pets cleaned in advance. Typical carpet-cleaning rates average between $200 and $300 for a 2,000-square- foot home. To protect carpeting from dirt tracked in by guests, Pike advises that homeown- ers put down area rugs (which can be removed after the holidays) and treat their carpets with protec- tors such as the water- based Soil-Blocker and Scotchguard Fabric & Car- pet Cleaner. To prevent stains, any dirt on the carpet should be dried before it is vacuumed up. Vacuuming frequently also helps prevent dust and allergen build-up. "You can never vacuum your carpet enough," said Pike. Carpet spills are almost inevitable, (especially if young children are present at gatherings) but generally easy to treat, Pike said. Act quickly and blot spills with a rag or paper towel, but never scrub the carpet. "That can fray fiber," he said. Pike added that stains can usually be removed with carpet spray, but avoid cleaners that contain bleach — they can discolor carpet. Sprays should be "pre-tested on an inconspic- uous area," he said. To fully embrace the holi- day spirit, Wieder said, homeowners shouldn't worry about hosting the "perfect" gathering. "Ultimately, it's impor- tant to remember that holi- days are centered on love and connection," she said. Continued from Page 1 Clean: Avoid the holiday fray when it comes to carpets A guide to proper pruning when trees are dormant Submitted photo Pruning is a job that may be tackled by do-it-yourselfers, but sometimes larger tasks are best left to a professional tree- trimming service.

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