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I am looking for someone/a company who can fix my yard! Someone who can tell me why my grass is so sparse, why some of my trees are dying, who can help me plant appropriate things in appropriate places... We are having some serious issues with the lawn and I've had a couple of companies come out to give us a quote for services but they can't tell me WHY these things are happening, only offer the usual package of fertilizer services. We have a company that does our weekly maintenance and clean-up but they aren't arborists or horticulturists or knowledgeable in any way about anything.
So, anyone have any recommendations? Someone or a company who really knows their stuff??? Thanks!
Once you have the results, you can show prospective landscapers the results and see what their recommendations are then? I am surprised though, that none of the companies you have worked with haven't recommended that right off the bat.
A soil test kit is a good idea, I just assumed that when they came to do an inspection that it would involve testing the soil. Silly me. The problem is though, that if I do this and show them the results, will they know what to do? If they didn't do the test in the first place then I am skeptical about that.
Here's our aborist. He's great and very knowledgeable. I don't think he does lawn care, but he can analyze and advise and he can definitely tell you what to plant where. He takes care of our 11 apple trees and our over 250 year old trees.
Lawn doctor (I think that's the company name) are pretty serious about grass lawns and getting them looking suburban-perfect if that's what you fancy.
As for arborists, you might want to go for the guy personally recommended here. There are many unscrupulous ones who tell you that you need to take down the whole tree instead of just removing some boughs, or who will knowingly underestimate the remaining amount of life left in the tree and also discuss its removal. There has been a rash of this in the Mamaroneck area recently (and they were out in force after Sandy). While some neighborhoods in NJ have rules regarding taking down mature trees, which keep arborists in check because the removal permit has to be approved, in most of Westchester its free rein to do what you want. Including for trees that have been part of the community heritage for 150 years or more. You should also check your aborist's knowledge of pollarding as this is an appropriate way to extend the life of some species.
^^^ Good point about tree ordinances. Make sure you check your town's laws before cutting anything down. My town passed a tree law about 4 years ago and there are strict limits on the number of trees you can cut down, based on tree type and circumference and size of your property and other things. Thank God.
^^^ Good point about tree ordinances. Make sure you check your town's laws before cutting anything down. My town passed a tree law about 4 years ago and there are strict limits on the number of trees you can cut down, based on tree type and circumference and size of your property and other things. Thank God.
Well, we do know this as we took down 8 trees last year. Don't worry, we still have 30+ and we've planted tons of evergreens around the edges, but all those trees were the main reason the grass didn't grow as there was never any sun. We now have sun on the main central part of the yard and I WANT GRASS!
I remember that in Scarsdale you needed a letter from an arborist to take down anything with a diameter over 3 inches or something like that. But here in Mamaroneck as long as it is entirely on your property you can do as you wish.
I do think we're going to have to hire someone for the lawn and someone for the trees. Thanks for all the recommendations!
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