Swingle Team Member Dan Cotter Retires After 38 Years
In February, 2012, Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape care bade farewell to Dan Cotter, one of our favorite mechanics. Dan has retired after 38 years of keeping Swingle's machines and vehicles in operation.
Dan started at Swingle in 1974 making $2.50 per hour. (It went a little farther then...) Prior to Dan's service to Swingle, he served in the US Army.
Originally from Englewood, Colorado, Dan didn't stray very far from home when he took a job with Denver-based Swingle, so all Swingle team members at Dan's retirement party were thrilled to learn Dan and his wife plan to enjoy his ret …Read Full Post »
Rotate Your Stock: Considering What Trees to Plant
Before automation, this message was a familiar sight in hardware and grocery stores where goods had a shelf life. The idea was the older items should be moved to the front of the shelf for quicker sale. In today’s retail stores, older or seasonal goods are displayed with clearance signs enticing us to buy, making room for newer merchandise.
The same concept applies in nature. In the mountains, after a significant event (fire, pestilence, logging, mining), aspen trees are first to inhabit the site. As aspen age, the stand naturally thins itself allowing pine and spru …Read Full Post »
Swingle Team Member Kristan Anderson Shines for New Customers
We're very proud to share this customer's experience and pleased to have made a few lives more enjoyable.
It is my pleasure to share with you what a wonderful job Swingle performed for us, specifically Kristan Anderson.
On Wednesday, October 26, the wet snowfall ripped two huge limbs off of our pear tree. They landed on the neighbors recreational vehicle and roof. Our kids and grandson got the limbs removed from the neighbor's property but cautioned us that their was another limb much higher over the RV and they were concerned that it would fall. My daughter-in-law referred us to Swingle. …Read Full Post »
Update on Swingle's "Ask Me About My Jeans" fundraiser
The Swingle team collected $1,782 through Swingle's "Ask Me About My Jeans" fundraiser during the month of December. Families First was excited to accept the contribution, which included matching funds, from Swingle President, John Gibson.
Since 2006, Swingle has donated landscaping services to Families First, including caring for their lawn, trees, and shrubs. The Swingle decor team creates a spectacular holiday light display at The Family Center each holiday season.
Read Full Post »
Pest Predictions for 2012
The Iowa caucuses are behind us and political prognosticators in full glory. Not to be left out, we have our own 2012 predictions. Our predictions are on the 2012 landscape insects and diseases – no politics involved. Two thousand and eleven was laden with garden pestilence. The following are some of the more interesting contenders for 2012.
National Significance:
Thousand cankers of black walnut has the potential to wipe out black walnuts in the United States. This insect/disease complex appeared in Colorado nearly ten years ago but is the mo …Read Full Post »
The Parker Christmas Carriage Parade
The Parker Christmas Carriage Parade was a big success! The Swingle carriage won best decorated thanks to our decor team and our CEO, Tom Tolkacz, dressed in a polar bear costume which the kids just loved. It was a great community event and Swingle is proud to have played a part. Read Full Post »
Ask Me About My Jeans
Here's part of the Swingle team participating in our "ask me about my jeans" donation drive for Families First. Starting December 1st, in the spirit of the holidays, we are encouraging employees and customers to donate to Families First, a local non-profit. Employees can purchase a month pass for $25, or a single day pass for $2 for the flexibility to wear jeans to work and Swingle is matching the donations. The drive will run through December. If you’re interested in donating, contact Swingle or visit www.familiesfirstcolorado.org Read Full Post »
Voles and Your Landscape
Making pest predictions for the next growing season can be a gamble, but one prediction that now is almost a sure thing is voles will make an appearance. We have seen an increase in vole activity in suburban and rural landscapes. This heavy snow cover will make them all the more prevalent. Voles will feed on your landscape plants during the winter with the damage showing up next spring.
Voles are small mouse-like mammals that cause damage by girdling landscape plants and making tunnels or runways in the yard. Voles also girdle the roots of trees and shrubs …Read Full Post »
How to Care for Your New Trees Over Winter
Winter isn’t quite here yet, but the snow sure is. Remember last year? At the close of November 2010, just 1.5 inches of snow was recorded in Denver. Twice this season, we have faithfully shaken the heavy wet snow from our trees – especially the young ones. What else can be done for your young trees to ensure their success in the landscape?
Broken branches should be pruned at this time – the sooner the better. When pruning, use sharp hand pruners and saws. Make cuts close to the adjoining branch or stem. Take care not to leave a bran …Read Full Post »
Dig Into Fall
Fall planting is a favorite time of the year for those who enjoy their outdoor spaces. Get a jump on spring by planting bulbs, perennials, shrubs and trees yet this fall. Denver Botanic Gardens hosts a spring and fall Plant and Bulb sale; it’s a great place to pick some up if you need any. For shrubs and trees, call Swingle, we’ll take care of providing and planting so you can sit back and enjoy the new additions your landscape.
Now is an excellent time to consider new plantings for your landscape. Cooler air and soil temperatures put less stress on newly installed plants. Roots …Read Full Post »
July 2011 Survey Winner
Congratulations to Kathy Harris for being selected as the July 2011 QA Survey winner. Kathy will receive $100 in free services. Highlights of Kathy's feedback survey include her statement that she was extremely pleased with the pruning job and wanted to personally thank Paige for working with her to get her job scheduled! At Swingle, we sincerely appreciate our customers, and welcome all feedback you can provide us about your experience of working with Swingle. Our great customers are why we are in business! The next $100 prize could be yours! You are automatically enter …Read Full Post »
Don't Touch That Dial - Mountain Pine Beetles Coming to Pine Near You
As we reported earlier this summer, mountain pine beetle is firmly entrenched along the Colorado Front Range. Evidence of mountain pine beetle can be found in many Colorado communities and recently in the Denver metropolitan area. Last summer around Labor Day is when we found the diagnostic pitch masses on many ornamentally grown ponderosa and Scotch pine trees. From Cheyenne to Fort Collins where mountain pine beetle was first reported in 2009, many pine trees died this year from repeated pine beetle attacks. In Denver and surrounding suburbs, most attacked trees remai …Read Full Post »
Swingle Fills Piggy Bank for Families First
Swingle proudly support Families First, a Denver charity focused on strengthening families, empowering parents, nurturing children and ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Their mission began in 1986 and now they help nearly 5,000 Colorado families every year.
On July 17, 2011, the Families First 25th Anniversary Picnic took place at the Four Mile Historic Park in Denver. Four Mile Historic Park is a 12-acre area with Denver’s oldest standing structure, pioneer exhibits, special events and guided tours.
How’s this for a fundraising idea: Adopt a Pig! At Swingle we ha …Read Full Post »
Facebook Contest Winner Receives iPad
Swingle's Director of Marketing Aaron Dennis recently presented residential customer Jason Cobb with an Apple iPad. Jason "liked" Swingle's Facebook Page prior to July 4, 2011, to become eligible for the giveaway.
Swingle's Facebook Page (http://www.Facebook.com/MySwingle) has quickly become a place customers ask our experts various questions--from fruit trees to pruning evergreens to holiday lighting--and we've given away two iPads just in our first five months.
Like Swingle today on Facebook to make sure you get the latest content from our Website delivered to you on Facebook. Ou …Read Full Post »
Outdoor Games for Dogs
Is there a better place to be a dog than Colorado? We get lots of comments on our Facebook page complimenting our awareness and treatment of pets. We've written about games people play with each other, so we thought we'd spend a little time offering some ways to enjoy the Colorado outdoors with your furry friends.
Making sure your pets get enough exercise is essential to their happiness and health. Playing with your dog can improve your mood as well as the mood of your companion.
5 Good Reasons to Exercise with Your Dog
Dogs that exercise with their human owners are less lik …Read Full Post »
Denver Hail Storm: Swingle CEO Addresses Property Owner Concerns
On the evening of July 13, 2011, hail stones that reached the size of baseballs stranded about 1,000 travellers at DIA and wreaked havoc on Denver and Boulder, Colorado, metro area trees and plants.
“Hail storm damage can continue long after the skies have calmed,” said Tom Tolkacz, CEO of Swingle. “Property owners should arm themselves with good information, then act quickly and properly.”
Here are some things we'd like our customers to know about Colorado hail storms and what to do after they hit.
Can hail damage kill my trees/shrubs?
NO.
What will hail damag …Read Full Post »
June Customer Survey Winner
Swingle would like to offer a big congratulations to our June Customer Survey Winner, Judy Coffee! Judy has been chosen as June's winner of Swingle's Quality Assurance Customer Feedback Program. This entitles Judy to a $100 credit for any of Swingle's legendary services!! We truly appreciate our customers, and welcome all feedback you can provide us about your experience working with Swingle. Our great customers are why we are in business. The next $100 prize could be yours! You are automatically entered to win by completing the survey. Go Here to take the survey n …Read Full Post »
Neighborhood Landscape - Beauty or Bane of the Block
No question, this year has brought a preponderance of dead and dying tree branches.
Much of the blame may be placed on the dry winter devoid of snowfall. Surface roots desiccated and died. These roots are responsible for water and nutrient uptake. While the spring rains came, the damage had already been done leaving suffering trees and shrubs dying from a lack of water.
The mild winter encouraged squirrels to gnaw their way through many shade tree branches – honeylocust and elms are favorites.
Branch and stem diseases were also favored by the past winter. A warm dr …Read Full Post »
Swingle Responds to Tree Removal Emergency
On July 8, 2011, Swingle performed emergency tree removal when a large tree fell on the Denver residence of Al Gerace, owner of Welby Gardens and a leader in the green industry. No one was injured.
“Homeowners who incur damage like this,” said Tom Tolkacz, owner and CEO of Swingle, “should be sure to inform their insurance company. Some policies cover removal cost when home damage occurs.”
The tree collapsed from a combination of age-decayed roots and strong winds. “Many trees look healthy or show what appears to the homeowner as harmless deadwood. Sometimes …Read Full Post »
Swingle Achieves A+ Rating with Denver Better Business Bureau
In 2011, Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care achieved an A+ Rating from the Denver Better Business Bureau (BBB).
The criteria on which the BBB bases its ratings include:
Business Complaint History
Type of Business
Time in Business
Background
Licensing and Government Actions
Issue Resolution
Truth in Advertising
Clear Understanding of Business
Swingle takes special pride in the BBB's note that the BBB records zero complaints about our adherence to our 100 percent guarantee. At Swingle, we always keep our promises.
And we hope we make your l …Read Full Post »
Bike to Work Day
In tradition of getting active with the community, Swingle is participating in The Denver Regional Council of Government's "Bike to Work" day, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Swingle currently has several riders in multiple office locations, and is excited to participate in this great community event. In keeping with their "green" theme, they are extending the green from lawns and trees to green commuting.
To learn more about Bike to Work Day, or to register for this event, visit www.BiketoWork2011.org. Not only can you help make the world a greener place, but by registering …Read Full Post »
Swingle Sponsors Loveland Garden Tour
Swingle is proud to sponsor the 8th annual Loveland Garden Tour. This spectacular event allows the Colorado community to come and enjoy the day in downtown Loveland. This year's garden tour features 7 gardens located in the west side of Downtown Loveland, sale of art for the Garden by local and regional artists, and even a silen auction of Tulip metal lawn chairs, decorated by area artists. Proceeds from the auction support Loveland Youth Gardeners.
The 2011 Loveland Garden Tour is on Saturday, June 25th, 8:30am-3:30pm. Admission is $15, and children ages 10 and under are FREE! Tickets are av …Read Full Post »
Customer Feedback Survey Rates Swingle a 10
In a recent customer feedback survey, a Swingle customer rated Swingle a 10 for Overall Satisfaction Rating (1 poor; 10 excellent). This happy customer had the following feedback about their Swingle experience:
"Happy with Swingle and also like Swingle to know that his lawn was picked for the month of June by the city of Northglenn for having a wonderful lawn, he said that it is due mostly to Swingle!!!"
We truly appreciate all feedback you can provide us about your Swingle experience. Our customes are incredibly valuable to us, and we would love to hear from you. Click Here to tak …Read Full Post »
Planting Trees at the American Academy
For more than three years, Swingle has taken an annual trip down to American Academy. This trip is to help "green" the school by planting trees with the students.
The most recent planting trip was Wednesday, May 25th, 2011. On this trip, Swingle's tree professionals planted a Buckeye tree with the 8th grade class. At the time of the planting, they also mulched several additional trees, from previous years plantings. In addition, they had a PHC crew on site to fertilize the trees.
This annual tree planting with students of American Academy is …Read Full Post »
Large Tree Replacement in Crofton Park
Swingle helped bring the Crofton Park area back to life by taking on a very large tree replacement project.
Approximately three years ago, a landscape maintenance company mistakenly applied a concentrated herbicide around the base of trees in four seperate associations called Crofton Park. It was fatal to the trees.
Swingle's Plant Pathologist did an initial identification of the soil test to determine the amount of chemical remaining in the soil after two and a half years, to see if the site was safe to replant new trees. The test came back with trace amounts of chemical a …Read Full Post »
Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic
Beetles flying east, A Crisis in North America and our own back yards
Most of us have seen the brown mountainsides on the I-70 corridor or have read news accounts about the current mountain pine beetle epidemic. Here are some staggering figures:
In Colorado, this is the most severe pine beetle epidemic in 125 years.
Since 1996, the beetles have chewed their way through 3.2 million acres of the Colorado forest.
Colorado is just a part of the total mountain pine beetle epidemic. In the Rocky Mountains including United States and Canada, a staggering 40 millio …Read Full Post »
Customer Survey Winner May 2011
A big round of applause goes out to Barry and Marsha Engle for being selected as the May 2011 QA Customer Survey winner! Mr. and Mrs. Engle are long time customers of Swingle and are thrilled to have won $100 in free services! When we called Marsha to let her know they won, she said she was having a pretty bad day and winning $100 in services sure made it better. She remembers talking with Sabra and giving her the feedback which she said was ‘a quick and painless survey’. She is delighted to be the May winner! We greatly appreciate all feedback you can p …Read Full Post »
Swingle Talks Mountain Pine Beetle with Colorado and Company
On Wednesday, May 18, 2011, Swingle Account Representative Tony Hahn joined host Denise Plant on the set of KUSA/NBC 9 News's Colorado & Company to talk about the Mountain Pine Beetle problem that has moved from the pine trees in Colorado's mountains to the front range. The problem is now affecting trees from southern Wyoming to farther south than Monument and from Boulder and Clear Creek to Elbert and Adams Counties.
Tony offered a special for viewers of the show and provided examples of what an infestation looks like.
Click here to watch the segment. Read Full Post »
April Customer Survey Winner
Big congratulations to Bill and Barbara Jones of Ft. Collins for being selected as the April 2011 QA Customer Survey winner! Mr. and Mrs. Jones won $100 in free services from Swingle! We greatly appreciate all feedback you can provide to us about your experience working with Swingle. Our customers are very valuable to us, they are the reason we are in business. The next $100 prize could be yours! Once you complete the survey, you are automatically entered to win. Click on this link to take the survey now: http://www.myswingle.com/satisfaction-survey Read Full Post »
Denver Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale 2011
This Mother's Day weekend, the traditional start to the Colorado garden planting season, Swingle proudly sponsors the Spring Plant Sale at one of Denver's most beautiful outdoor spaces.
May 6-7 at the York Street Denver Botanic Gardens, visitors will be able to:
Return to your roots with plants native to Colorado.
Shop from over 12 different plant divisions (specialized collections of plants).
Enjoy quality plants and expert advice.
Container planting: pre-packaged kits so you can easily grow a variety of plants in your own container--perfect for urban dwellers.
…Read Full Post »
The Green or Not So Green Grass of Home
Last month, lawns along the front-range began their annual ritual of awakening from winter dormancy. Some lawns are springing to life as normal, while some are not.
What happened?
Only two winters since 1882 have seen less snowfall than this 2010-2011 season. Through March of 2011, only 20.6 inches of snow fell in Denver. From October to March, the precipitation was only 50 percent of normal. Except for February, temperatures were above normal. The battle cry went out to water the lawns. Some heeded the cry, others hoped for rain. The grass died from …Read Full Post »
Swingle Joins Earth Day 2011 Cemetery Beautification Effort
Earth Day 2011 finds Colorado’s largest lawn, tree and landscape care company beautifying a space of historical importance to the city of Denver and of emotional significance to many families.
On Friday, April 22, 2011, Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care will provide time, expertise and labor for the Colorado Association of Lawn Care Professionals’ (CALCP) Third Annual Day of Service at Riverside Cemetery, Denver’s oldest operating cemetery. The effort is provided in conjunction with the Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) National Day of Service. Swingle Law …Read Full Post »
Colorado Tree Care: What Stories are Your Evergreen Trees Telling?
Signs from the Pines
Within the past 30 to 45 days, many Colorado spruce and pines have taken on a poor crown appearance. What we see unfolding in the evergreen trees now could be a prelude to the 2011 growing season. Since the Mountain Pine Beetle has made a significant presence in pine trees on Colorado’s Front Range, it is not business as usual for pine trees in Denver and other urban Colorado areas.
Pines are Storytellers.
Dendrochronology is the discipline of correlating tree growth rings with significant historical events. Analysis performed on both li …Read Full Post »
March Customer Survey Winner
Big congratulations to Brendan Morse for being selected as the March 2011 QA Customer Survey winner! Mr. Morse was thrilled when we called him to tell him that he won $100 in free services! His prize will cover his next two lawn services. The time he took to give us his feedback has really paid off! Mr. Morse is very pleased with the service Swingle provides, he also mentioned that he is very appreciative of the staff at Swingle; everyone with the organization is friendly and professional. At Swingle, we truly value our customers and greatly appreciate all feedback y …Read Full Post »
Colorado Sprinkler System Freeze Prevention
Identifying your backflow preventor There are various types of backflow preventors on the market today, but the most common ones are: AVB – Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker PVB – Pressure Vacuum Breaker RPA - Reduced Pressure Assembly Protecting your backflow preventor from freezing temperatures (1) – This is the unprotected backflow preventor. The entire device, including exposed copper pipe is susceptible to damage from exposure to freezing temperatures. (2) – Place an old blanket, folded towel or an old coat over the en …Read Full Post »
Decorative Colorado Organic Mulch
Colorado Organic Mulch Our mulch is all local Colorado recycled tree waste put to good use in your beds and borders allowing soil to hold more water and nutrients that are beneficial to your plants and flowers. This means less frequent watering is required and most important your doing your part to conserve our water resources. Natural Mulch: $19.00 per y …Read Full Post »
Organic Mulch: Re-using Trees to Beautify Colorado Outdoor Spaces
Swingle's Organic Mulch is produced and distributed by our Denver office. As a progressive full-service tree and shrub care company we are dedicated to the good health and preservation of Colorado’s trees. We know that proper pruning is only part of the battle. By producing high-quality organic mulch and making it readily available and affordable we are doing our part for Colorado’s roots and soils. The next step is up to you. It makes us happy to know that local wood is returned to it’s natural place in the cycle, just as it would be on the forest floor, while still …Read Full Post »
LawnCare Aeration Plus of Greeley acquired by Swingle
Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care, now celebrating 64 years in business, today announced the acquisition of Lawn Care Aeration Plus to strengthen their market position in Colorado’s Northern Front Range communities. “Having provided lawn care services to my customers for 27 years, I began planning for my retirement. I searched for a local Colorado landscape care company with exceptional customer service to maintain the quality my customer’s have come to expect. After carefully considering several options and selecting a company that aligned with my guarante …Read Full Post »
Spring is for Spraying
Traditionally, the day after New Year’s meant our mailboxes were stuffed with colorful seed and plant catalogs, along with the much awaited catalogs and tax forms. While the IRS has ceased mailing their tax booklets, the catalogs still continue to arrive. Catalogs are a reminder that spring, with all the splendor of renewed garden life, is just around the corner. When thinking of spring, a gardener’s mental calendar starts the season in April and May. Landscape pests, however, are thinking of starting much earlier – even now. As the soil and air temperature warms, weeds germ …Read Full Post »
Buckeyes Bonking and Hawthorns Hitting the Wall
"Bonks," and “hitting the wall,” are jargon terms used by athletes. From lack of water or nutrition, activity suddenly becomes more difficult. Ordinarily simple movements seem to require more energy than normal. Medical experts tell us we need to drink water several times during the day. Similarly, horticulturists tell us that during the heat of the summer our landscapes need water three times a week. Proper hydration and watering are top of mind during the summer when thirst comes quickly and landscapes wilt under Colorado’s hot sun. Skiers, runners, hikers and c …Read Full Post »
‘Tis the Season for Predictions
Pundit predictions will soon be in the air. World issues, politics, and economics are favorite themes. What about your landscape? These six pests bear watching. Insects - European elm flea weevils, tiny but mighty at just 2 mm in length, devour elm leaves before your eyes. Eaten leaves look similar to those feasted upon by leaf beetles. These critters should be voracious in 2011. Scales - European elm, oak kermes, pine needle, and euonymus scale are all common in the landscape. One adult produces 50 – 300 eggs each. Scales tap into the tree or shrub’s sap stream, sucking the suga …Read Full Post »
Botanic Gardens' Magical Holiday Display
The Denver Botanic Gardens selects Christmas Décor by Swingle for their “Blossom of Lights” in Denver and “Trail of Lights” at Chatfield. Christmas Décor by Swingle, a division of Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care, has become the official holiday lighting provider for the Denver Botanic Gardens. Swingle, the largest Christmas Décor franchise in the country, will work with Denver Botanic Gardens to create and install the historic Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens and Trail of Lights at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. Reflect …Read Full Post »
Swingle helps with hoops to plant one million trees in Mile High City
Denver CO – Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care, in partnership with the Denver Nuggets, the Mayor’s office and the Denver Parks & Recreation Department, are all striving to help plant one million trees in the Mile High City by 2025. Larry Baird, Marketing & Communication Manager at Swingle, and James Younger, Account Executive for Corporate Partnerships with Kroenke Sports Enterprises, teamed with the Denver Nuggets to create a cause marketing program appropriately named TREES FOR THREES to benefit the city’s Mile High Million Tree Initiative. “This is a …Read Full Post »
Winter Pruning
Colorado residents cannot help but enjoy our pleasant fall weather and autumn colors. While the mild temperatures have been abundant, the results in the rain bucket have been dismal. Since August 8th through the end of October, Denver has only recorded six tenths of an inch of precipitation. As most of our sprinkler systems have been turned off for the winter, now is a good time to have our hoses available to water trees and landscape plants throughout the fall and winter months. A critical fall and winter time activity is assessing landscape pruning needs. Pruning completed during the w …Read Full Post »
The Landscape Down Under
One cannot help but notice what Colorado landscapes look like this fall. Low relative humidity, wind, high temperatures, and the lack of precipitation have left landscapes scorched. On the plus side, mountain aspen viewing has been spectacular. But right now the state is tinder dry – including some landscapes. Some folks have given into despair leaving their lawns dry. It is easy to fixate on the brown foliage and turn our attention to the next growing season. However, plant material that goes into winter dry this fall, will only incur more stress nex …Read Full Post »
Welcome to Deadwood, Colorado!
A common sight this September are trees with brown leaves, early fall color, and dead branches. What is causing these maladies? Record cold October 2009 Many trees and shrubs were not ready for the second coldest October on record. In Denver, record lows were recorded on October 2, 9 and 10. The record low of 17 degrees recorded on the 10th froze many landscape plants. Dry winter The first quarter of 2010 was especially dry with only 1.17 inches in the precipitation bucket. Meaningful moisture did not reach us until the last days of April. The extr …Read Full Post »
Swingle's Plant Pathologist Rides in His 13th Tour des Trees
America’s Largest Fundraiser for Tree Research. Steve Geist, an Aurora plant pathologist for Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care, is training and fundraising to ride in the STIHL Tour des Trees, a weeklong, 500-mile cycling event through northern Illinois this July. The Tour benefits the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund, an international non-profit focused on education and research in arboriculture and urban forestry. Arboriculture is the science of caring for trees in the landscape. “Tree care is the result of great research, and much of this research was fu …Read Full Post »
Vigilance. The key to scales lurking in your landscape!
Scales are inconspicuous insects feeding on your trees and shrubs without notice until twigs and branches start dying. Scales are sap sucking insects along with aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, adelgids, and mealybugs. These insects all feed by sucking sap from the host plant. Damage begins as a weakened look to the plant followed by branch dieback. In severe cases plants are killed. Scales produce a waxy covering over the top of themselves with their eggs making this insect difficult to control. Scale infestations are exploding both in Colorado and throughout …Read Full Post »
Modern Methods for Systemic Insecticides
In an era gone by, townspeople welcomed mist blowers trolling neighborhood streets misting trees. Folks today are looking for insect control products and methods that are less environmentally intrusive. In the past decade or so much research has gone into insecticides directly injected into the tree trunk and those that can be applied to the soil. Trunk products involve drilling into the tree where a delivery device is placed. Soil applied insecticides are diluted materials injected into the soil or drenched on top of the soil surface. Once introduced into the t …Read Full Post »
Trees Planted with Human Hands
Thirty-four million years ago, Colorado consisted of a dense forest. The giant sequoias only exist in fossilized records. Today, Colorado’s front-range is a short-grass prairie. Human hands have planted and created nearly every landscape. Water is the most limiting factor in our semi-arid climate. The lack of abundant precipitation not only results in wilted plants, but also has far reaching effects on the soil. Consistent and abundant soil moisture is needed to wash minerals through the soil. Without this activity, salts and other alkaline mate …Read Full Post »
Cool Tips for Cool Season Turfgrasses
Most of our lawns are comprised of Kentucky bluegrass or a mix of grasses with bluegrass being predominant. Bluegrass is also called a cool season turf. Buffalo-grass would be an example of a warm season grass. What does this mean? This means that our lawns green up early in the year. When the heat of the summer arrives, bluegrass plants slow down their growth. If subject to drought during the summer, they may turn brown and go dormant. Once this occurs, recovery is slow, only occurring when the ninety degree air temperatures abate in late August into …Read Full Post »
The Denver Botanic Gardens selects Christmas Décor by Swingle
Swingle, the largest Christmas Décor franchise in the country, will work with Denver Botanic Gardens to create and install the historic Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens and Trail of Lights at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. Reflecting the Gardens’ and Swingle’s commitment to conservation and sustainability, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) will make-up a growing proportion of the lighting displays at both locations. “Denver Botanic Gardens has had a professional partnership with Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care for more than 50 years. We are excited …Read Full Post »
Spring is for Weed Control
April showers bring May flowers. Some of those “flowers” include dandelions. Homeowners will spring into action with a dizzying array of herbicides – weed killers. Herbicides are meant to kill plants, insecticides kill insects, and fungicides prevent fungi from growing. Using the wrong insecticide or fungicide may result in poor results. Use the wrong herbicide and you could permanently damage your landscape. With any pesticide it is imperative that you read and understand the label. Tease the glued cover loose and read the entire thing wit …Read Full Post »
It’s a Tree’s Life
Today’s human life expectancy is 77.5 years. How long do trees live? In a typical downtown urban location, trees growing in a sidewalk planter box live an average of 15 years. In a well cared for residential landscape, trees will live over 100 years. So what is the real difference between a young tree and an old tree? Certainly the older tree is larger than the younger tree. But how does this really matter? Can you tell how old a tree is or how long it has to live just by looking at it? Life Stages (tree shapes) Sounds strange, but a tree&rsqu …Read Full Post »
Swingle Receives Corporate Recognition Award From Families First
DENVER – On May 13, Families First presented its 2009 Outstanding Corporate Support Award to Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care at the Friends Spring Luncheon held at the Denver Country Club. Each year this award is given to a business that has shown its commitment to community involvement by supporting the work of Families First. Since 2006, Swingle has donated landscaping service to Families First including caring for lawn, bushes, trees, drainage and irrigations systems and creating a spectacular holiday light display at The Family Center each holiday season. The award was accepte …Read Full Post »
