Protect Yourself from Storm Damage

As this fall has proven, snow and ice can cause major damage to not only your trees and shrubs, but also your property. Getting an evaluation of your yard and knowing how to prevent possible damage is much easier and cheaper than trying to clean up the disaster after it occurs.

This time of year is perfect to prepare your landscape for the snow to come. A tree’s survival may depend on the care that you give it before the storm happens. This is especially true for evergreens and hedges. The high winds, heavy ice and snow of winter can cause a great deal of strain. Most of the downed wires and property damage this fall was caused by improperly maintained trees.

The removal of dead, diseased or broken branches will be beneficial to the overall health of the tree and prevent costly and dangerous storm damage. Pruning aids in maintaining the shape, vigor and health of the plant.

Your trees and shrubs are your investment. You should make sure and preserve them by taking proper care of them. For peace of mind, call Truesdale for an evaluation.

Truesdale Employee of the Year - Andrew Lynch

Meet Andrew Lynch

Andrew Lynch, a recent graduate of Morris County College, is Truesdale’s employee of the year. Andrew earned his applied science degree in landscape management and design in December of 2011. Andrew’s recent academic accomplishment is just one of many feats for this graduate. With over eight years of experience, Andrew has climbed his way up every division of Truesdale Landscape and Nursery.

Andrew is very happy working with the Truesdale family, “we have some of the nicest customers and Ralph is like family, his son is like a brother to me.”

Andrew began working every summer for President Ralph Dinizo at the Truesdale Nursery and Garden Center in Berkeley Heights when he was a 13-year old boy. His duties included watering plants and loading mulch. When he received his license at age 17, he began snow plowing. Andrew began working with the Truesdale landscape construction crew when he turned 18 years old. He stayed with the construction crew for one year before he obtained his operator license and spent one season apprenticing with Glenn Koleda, the Truesdale agronomics specialist. During this time, he learned how to diagnose lawn ailments and apply the necessary pesticides and fertilizers to achieve and maintain optimal lawn health. He then spent two years working with the Truesdale ground maintenance crew. His duties included: performing weekly lawn cutting; shrub and bed care, planting and pruning; design layout; and leaf removal for most of Truesdale’s long standing customers.

Andrew has taken courses in computer imaging design; he received his operator license and he recently passed the New Jersey Commercial Driver’s License program - receiving a CDL on his first attempt.

Andrew’s favorite horticultural area is landscaping design and construction – his current division. His future plans may include studying landscape architecture at Rutgers University.

Truesdale is dedicated to continuing education and keeping abreast of horticulture trends. Andrew is a valuable member of the Truesdale team so we extend our congratulations for his recent accomplishments and our appreciation for Andrews’s hard work and dedication to the team and the trade. 



Winter Planting, Watering and Pruning

The best time to plant a tree is when the tree goes dormant; this is when the least amount of shock would occur to it. Fall and winter planting gives roots a chance to settle in during the cooler months so the tree gets a jump on the next growing season and is better equipped for summer’s heat. When do they go dormant? For Deciduous trees, it is very obvious when they go dormant. The dropping of their leaves in autumn signals that they are entering dormancy and when you see buds on the trees in spring, this signals that they are leaving their dormant cycle. For Evergreens, you have more leeway on when you can plant. However, you will want to hold off planting until the warm weather ends and you will want to finish your plantings before the heat of summer begins. Winter Watering Although you may not think of winter as “dry” remember that you will still need to make sure that your new plantings get enough moisture. Even if there is snow during the winter, the ground does not absorb any of the water until it starts to melt. Proper Watering for Winter During dry periods in the winter, use your hose and water all of your plant materials. On a sunny day above freezing, turn your hose on a light drip and let it soak the trees for about 15 minutes. For shrub, you will want to do this for about 5 minutes and for perennials about 2 minutes. This will help root development, especially on anything newly planted. Winter Pruning Pruning deciduous plants in the winter promotes fast regrowth in the spring, as most plants are dormant during the winter. It is also easier to see the shapes of deciduous plants in the winter, since their foliage is gone. Why Prune? Reasons to prune in winter: Remove dead, diseased and damaged areas Prevent injury or damage due to weak branches Preparation for storm damage from snow and ice Better to trim correctly without foliage cover Use this time of year to your advantage. Call us today at 908-834-2675 for winter planting and pruning.